A numerical investigation into the influence of bio-inspired leading-edge tubercles on the hydrodynamic performance of a benchmark ducted propeller

Marine ducted thrusters are widely used to provide propulsive thrust for a range of marine vessels due their high capability in heavy loaded conditions. This paper presents novel and optimised bio-inspired thruster, where leading-edge tubercles applied the duct propulsor explore impact on hydrodynamic performance. Nine different geometrical configurations tubercle were investigated with varying amplitude wavelength within optimisation study. The performance thruster is evaluated using commercially available computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, STAR-CCM+, an incompressible implicit unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) solver combined Body Force Propeller (BFP) method Then, selected optimal was chosen further analysis propeller resolved Rigid Motion (RBM) method, more commonly known as sliding mesh technique. Through numerical study, modification predicted have enhance heavy-loaded conditions, although this dependent tubercle. Furthermore, during investigation traditional behaviour observed, namely high-low pressure patterns streamwise counter-rotating vortices. Interestingly, flow separation observed be compartmentalised outer side cross-section conditions occurred such at maximum efficiency operating point.