The optimal matching of a propeller to the hull and the diesel engine of the combine diesel or gas (CODOG) system is a critical design analysis in ship building. In this research work, a controllable Pitch Propeller (CPP) was considered whereby the pitch was varied, but only the extreme pitch set the limit of operation and matching was done with the extreme pitch condition. It considers the performance analysis of the propeller, the hull and the engine both in design and off design conditions. Without propulsion a vessel built cannot move and so choosing the right propeller to match the hull and engine is very vital. The various processes involved in the matching of the propeller to the diesel engine and hull of the vessel are considered, in order to achieve optimal performance of the vessel. A Java program (prop-matching) was developed to facilitate the matching process. The graphs obtained are used to determine the matching point at corresponding speed and power. The thrust and torque developed under different conditions as well as their significance, considering the fact that the propeller is a CPP. The engine response in transient conditions in reaction to the turbo charger was considered, the matching graph of the turbo charger compressor was discussed, and the calculated mass flow rate with various engine speeds and boost pressure were also discussed. This program was further used in matching the propeller to the hull and diesel or gas engines of a F90 frigate. The corresponding propeller rpm and engine power with pitch ratios from the program were similar to those from the design of the frigates. The various thrust and torque coefficients and open water efficiency all correspond to the simulated results of those of the naval frigate.
The matching of a propeller to the engine and hull of a vessel is a key design analysis in ship building and especially in the design of the propulsion system of a combined system. The matching of the engine and gear ratio to the propeller means that the equilibrium between the available engine torque and the required propeller torque will not overload the engine and that the thrust required to make speed is available throughout the range of operation. The recent availability of modern computers has made propeller calculations much easier than it was before now. The characteristics of the propeller used on most small vessels are relatively easy to calculate, either with the use of a spreadsheet program such as excel or with dedicated propeller software [
For a vessel to achieve its desire speed, overcome resistance and allow for high engine performance, optimal matching of the propeller is very important as this will reduce cost that may arise from fuel consumption, vibration induced stresses, which may contribute to already existing stresses of engine load, and wave motion on the vessel [
The use of CODOG for main propulsion has become imperative especially as it relates to naval frigates. CODOG is commonly associated with naval frigates and the need to implore this system is the key to our national development; it is economical, such that the diesel engines can be used while on patrol on cruising speed and the gas turbine for chase in the event of attack at high speed, but not both systems at the same time. The need for optimal propeller matching to the CODOG system cannot be over emphasis [
The CPP can develop more thrust than its fixed pitch counterpart over most of the stopping manoeuvre, simply because its pitch can be adjusted to suit the highly off-design flow conditions that exist transiently. Thus stopping time and distance are expected to be shorter when a CPP is used. The CPP provides means of reversing thrust without reversing rotation. It thereby eliminates the need for a reverse train in reduction gears or for reverse running features with a direct-connected engine [
Barry (2005), extensively discuss about propeller matching, though emphasis was for boat and small ships. He progressively handles section by section discussion on the steps and processes involve in propeller matching to the hull and vessel. He discussed the propeller characteristics, engine characteristics as well as the hull form and the propeller design itself. Though there was no matching graph to buttress this point and further in clear terms how the matching point is determined [
For a proper propeller matching entails a reduced fuel consumption, low emission control, and reduced noise and vibration [
their work, deal decisively with the matching of fixed pitch propeller to an engine and hull, while in this research the matching is to a CPP and a program is developed in a java programmable language to help analyze the open water characteristics of the propeller and the matching graph. Stapersma & Woud discussed the CODAD system and considered an off design condition in which the change in number of driven shaft. This was demonstrated through the open water diagram as show in the
In propeller design the basic data are derived from advance hydrodynamic theories, practical experience and numerous model tests at various hydrodynamic institutes. Each blade is specially designed for a certain ship’s hull and its operating conditions; the total propeller efficiency, suppressed noise level and vibrations are prime design objectives [
models, but in order to enable a general use of the theory a number of dimensionless propeller coefficients have been introduced in relation to propeller diameter d, the rate of revolution n, and the specific mass of the water ρ of which the three most important coefficients are discussed below;
The advanced number; J = V A n × D [
The thrust coefficient; K T = T ρ × n 2 D 4 [
The propeller torque as; Q = P D 2 × π × n = K Q = Q ρ × n 2 × d 5 [
By means of special and complicated propeller diagrams, which amongst others, include, J , K T , K Q curves, it is possible to calculate the propeller size, the efficiency, the thrust pressure, and the shaft power. From the open water diagrams, off design conditions which affects the operating point of the propeller can be analyzed and resolved. This will be used as we progress further in solving some of the off design conditions that affects the operational envelope of the propeller and results will be discussed [
Prior to manufacturing a propeller, the accuracy class standard must be established.
Cavitation is a phenomenon observed in highly loaded propellers, manifesting itself beyond a certain number of revolutions of a propeller by noise, vibration and erosion of the propeller blades, strut and sometimes even rudders. An increasing loss of thrust will cause cavitation which must be avoided in the design of propeller [
Cavitation number σ, can be calculated using the formula below.
σ 0.7 R = P t / 1 / 2 ρ [ V a 2 + ( 0.7 π n D ) 2 ] [
The critical thrust coefficient τ c r i t is define by the formula below
Class | Manufacturing Accuracy | Mean Pitch for Propeller |
---|---|---|
S | Very high accuracy | ±0.5% |
1 | high accuracy | ±0.075% |
11 | Medium accuracy | ±1.00% |
111 | Wide tolerance | ±3.000% |
τ c r i t = Thrust / 1 / 2 A p [ V a 2 + ( 0.7 π n D ) 2 ] (5)
where A p = the projected area, V a = the speed of advance, n = propeller rpm, D = propeller diameter.
In matching a propeller to the ship hull and engine, the total resistance of the vessel must be known, propeller selection with torque and thrust to overcome the resistance and selecting an engine that match the propeller. In doing this the propeller characteristics and engine characteristics must be harmonized for effective fuel consumption and reduced vibration thereby achieving optimal matching. When an engine is to be matched with a propeller the following criteria should be met; [
The engine is able to develop full power or nearly full power at the design condition.
Particulars | Parameters |
---|---|
Design speed (gas turbine engine) | 28 knot |
Cruising speed (diesel engine) | 17 knots |
Effective Power, PE | 9299 kW |
Cruising speed | 17 knots |
Wake fraction | 0.0969 |
Thrust deduction fraction | 0.0659 |
Relative Rotative efficiency, ηr | 0.96 |
Propeller Diameter, D | 3.9624 m |
Advance ratio, J | 0.5 |
Thrust coefficient Kt | 0.18 |
Torque coefficient Kq | 0.28 |
Propeller thrust | 667,233.24 N |
Propeller Open Water efficiency ηo | 0.57 |
Propeller speed (diesel engine) Propeller rpm (gas turbine) | 149 rpm 235 rpm |
Engine rpm (diesel engine) Engine rpm (gas turbine) | 900 rpm 3600 rpm |
Engine MCR (diesel engine) Engine MCR (gas turbine) | 2684.5 kW 13,410 kW |
Gear ratio (diesel engine) Gear ratio (gas turbine) | 6.04 15.32 |
Transmission efficiency (diesel engine) Transmission efficiency (gas turbine) | 97.5% 98.0% |
Sea water density | 1025 kg/m3 |
To propel a ship, it is very necessary to overcome the resistance of the ship, the resistance is highly influenced by it speed, displacement and hull form. It is imperative to outline the various steps in calculating the ship resistance.
According to ITTC calculation procedures in finding the resistance of a ship using a model test, firstly a scale is chosen [
λ = L s L m (6)
where L s = the length of the ship, L m = the length of model and λ = the scale factor.
Scaling according to Froude number F n is practical. We scale model speed according to F n so that the wave resistance is modelled correctly and we choose a model size that, in conjunction with the model speed, should give Reynolds number that are high enough to ensure a turbulent flow regime.
Thus
F n m = F n s
V m g l m = V s g l s (7)
V m = V s λ (8)
where F n s = ship’s Froude number, F n m = model’s Froude number, V m = models speed, V S = ship speed, L S = length of ship, L m = length of model, g = acceleration due to gravity.
In this research due to the availability of a working model and a towing tank, and because the case study, is refitting a propeller to the ship. Back calculation procedures are best matching technique. Back calculation entails us knowing the rpm and the propeller characteristics, then we can calculate the current resistance, including all of the adjustments already made, this is done by determining the characteristics of the propeller and gear ratio, then measure speed and rpm. With this data I have to use the program design to determine the thrust and torque. The existing thrust for case study vessel is, T = 667,233.24N.
For an effective interaction between the hull, propeller and the main engine the following requirements must be satisfied. The torque necessary to rotate the propeller must be equal to the torque delivered by the engine unto the end of the tail shaft. The number of revelations of the propeller must be equal to the engine rpm (with allowance for gear for medium and high speed engine). The thrust of the propeller must be equal to the resistance of the ship at a given speed, taking into consideration the thrust deduction.
The propeller delivers a thrust power
P T = T × V A (9)
where T = thrust, V A = speed of advance.
The thrust power may be bigger or smaller than the effective power, depending on the mutual interaction between the hull and the propeller. The ratio of the effective power to the thrust power is the hull efficiency, expressed thus;
η H = P E P T = R T T V A = T ( 1 − t ) V T V ( 1 − w ) = 1 − t 1 − w
η H = 1 − t 1 − w (10)
where t = thrust deduction, w = wake fraction
t = Δ T T (11)
T = R T + Δ T (12)
t = K P T − R T K P T (13)
R = ( 1 − t ) k p T (14)
w = V w V = V S − V A V S (15)
V A = ( 1 − w ) ⋅ V S (16)
The total resistance of the vessel will be calculated using Equation (12). Because in this very case the thrust of the propeller is available from the ships machinery data.
The efficiency depends on the value of the coefficients w and t. i.e. on the shape of the hull and the number of propellers.
For this vessel, the wake w and thrust deduction fraction for its twin screw is define thus;
w = 0.55 C B − 0.20 (17)
t = ( 1.67 − 2.3 C B C W L + 1.5 C B ) w (18)
But
C B = Δ ρ × l × b × d (19)
C w l = A w L w l × B w l (20)
In general C w l is approximately 0.10 higher than the C B . Slightly higher with fast ships with low C B where stern is partially submerged.
Therefore C w l = C B + 0.15 (21)
From ships data the following are obtained. Δ = 3394000 , L = 115.4 m , B = 12.8 m , D = 4.6 m , L w l = 106.68 m , B w l = 12.5 m , ρ = 1025 kg / m 3 .
From Equation (19), C B = 0.5398 .
Hence from Equation (17), w = 0.0969 .
And C w l = 0.6898 , t = 0.0659 .
The polynomials derived from the B-series report will be used to plot the open water characteristics for Reynolds number 2.0 × 10 6 and for ranges of number of blades, blade area ratio and pitch-diameter ratio. The extent of applicability of the polynomial is also discussed [
The polynomial for K T and K Q derived with multiple regression analysis are;
K T = ∑ s , t , u , v C s , t , u , v T ( J ) s ( P D ) t ( A E A O ) u ( Z ) v (fit to test data) [
K Q = ∑ s , t , u , v C s , t , u , v Q ( J ) s ( P D ) t ( A E A O ) u ( Z ) v (fit to test data) [
The Reynolds number correction of 2.0 × 106 applies to the equations.
The coefficients C s , t , u , v T and C s , t , u , v Q and terms s , t , u , v are given in a table. The dimensionless parameter that characterize the open water characteristics are the K T , K Q , J , P / D , η O and from Equation (1), it can be seen that the advance ratio J, the wake fraction w, and the propeller speed can be determined as a function of ship speed.
J = V A n P D (24)
V A = V S ⋅ ( 1 − W ) (25)
n P = V A J ⋅ D = ( 1 − W ) J ⋅ D V S (26)
The open water efficiency can be expressed in these three terms:
Also with the torque coefficient K Q and relative rotative efficiency n R the propeller load can be determined.
The open water efficiency can be expressed in this three terms: from the equation below
n O = 1 2 π ⋅ T ⋅ V A Q ⋅ n P = K T ⋅ ρ ⋅ n P 2 ⋅ D 4 ⋅ V A 2 π ⋅ K Q ⋅ ρ ⋅ n P 2 ⋅ D 5 ⋅ n p = 1 2 π ⋅ K T ⋅ J K Q (27)
But Power and torque are related thus
P = 2 π n Q (28)
From propeller law; P = K n 3 [
K = P 1 n 1 3 (30)
Q = K Q × ρ × n 2 × D 5 ( K Q derived from open water diagram) (31)
Similarly
T = K T × ρ × n 2 × D 4 ( K T derived from open water diagram) (32)
KTShip or KTPrime is also derived thus. When n is not known
K T J 2 = T ρ × [ ( 1 − w ) V s × D ] 2 = C (33)
K T prime = C J 2 [
The propeller matching program interface is user friendly and easy to execute. On running the program a dial-up box pops up to enable you to input the hull information and vessel speed, the engine data and as well as the propeller data. With the above given data a matching pitch is obtained, with another dial-up box indicating a range of pitch ratios of four different range to enable you compare results since it’s a controllable pitch propeller. From the information provided the open water diagram is obtained which is used to analyze the open water efficiency curve, torque coefficient, thrust coefficient and advance ratio. The Blount-fox thrust criteria ( K t / J 2 ) call the Kt prime in the program, this coefficient helps determine some propeller factors before you know rpm, then solve for rpm, as shown in
η O on the y-axis, then traced downward to obtain the corresponding value of J on the x-axis. This method helps us to find rpm if we know resistance, speed and diameter―the equation eliminate rpm, we calculate curves of efficiency etc. by K t / J 2 and can then optimize them and pick the point where you get the right K t / J 2 then calculate required rpm from J.
Parameters | Gas turbine engines | Diesel engines |
---|---|---|
Vessel speed (Knots) | 28 | 17 |
Propeller thrust (N) | 667,233.24 | 667,233.24 |
Advance ratio | 0.82 | 0.54 |
Matching pitch | 1.092 | 0.856 |
KT | 0.533 | 0.397 |
10 KQ | 0.879 | 0.52 |
ηO | 0.662 | 0.566 |
Propeller rpm | 235 | 149 |
Rated power (Kw) | 13410 | 2700 |
No. of blades | 4 | 4 |
No. of propellers | 2 | 2 |
Propeller Diameter | 3.962 | 3.962 |
EAR | 0.85 | 0.85 |
CWL | 0.6898 | 0.6898 |
CB | 0.5398 | 0.5398 |
LWL | 106.68 | 106.68 |
B | 12.5 | 12.5 |
Gear ratio | 15 | 6 |
Gear efficiency | 0.98 | 0.975 |
Parameters | Gas turbine engines | Diesel engines |
---|---|---|
Vessel speed (Knots) | 22 | 12 |
Propeller thrust (N) (20% increase) | 800,679.89 | 800,679.89 |
Advance ratio | 0.65 | 0.35 |
Matching pitch | 0.99 | 0.764 |
KT | 0.471 | 0.344 |
10 KQ | 0.701 | 0.411 |
ηO | 0.572 | 0.417 |
Propeller rpm | 235 | 149 |
Rated power (kW) | 13,410 | 2700 |
No. of blades | 4 | 4 |
No. of propellers | 2 | 2 |
Propeller Diameter | 3.962 | 3.962 |
EAR | 0.85 | 0.85 |
CWL | 0.6898 | 0.6898 |
CB | 0.5398 | 0.5398 |
LWL | 106.68 | 106.68 |
B | 12.5 | 12.5 |
Gear ratio | 15 | 6 |
Gear efficiency | 0.98 | 0.975 |
1) J-Kt-Kq and Open Water Diagram for Rated Power and Speed.
It can be seen from the open water diagram that the torque coefficient, the thrust coefficient, advance ratio and open water efficiency can be read out.
matching point is the point where the pitch is 0.856 this is the point where the engine will develop its rated power and rpm and as such maximum fuel consumption will be achieved.
The run of hydrodynamic curves of a propeller depends on the geometric shape of the propeller, the biggest influence being exerted by pitch ratio and develop area ratio. The effects of the increase of the pitch ratio for propeller is identical, this is shown in Figures 3-5. With growing pitch ratio by constant advance ratio J the thrust and torque are growing too, but the efficiency of the propeller decreases. At the same time the maximum value of the efficiency increases with growing pitch ratio.
2) Significance of J-KT-KQ and ηO to the Propeller Design.
As it can be seen from Figures 3-5, the pitch of the propeller changes the corresponding values of J, KT, KQ and ηO changes as well, an indication of the effect of pitch ratio on the hydrodynamic curve of the propeller. It shows that the hydrodynamic curves depend on the geometric shape of the propeller. This coefficient in the open water diagram helps in analyzing the propeller torque, thrust and the open water efficiency. As it can be seen from the open water diagrams these coefficients helps in the analysis of the propeller performance. As earlier stated it helps in analyzing some off design conditions from the open water diagram e.g. change in number of driven shaft, change in resistance and change in pitch. In this research two of the off designs conditions that were considered here are the increase in resistance and change of pitch.
The delima that may arise in matching a propeller to the engine is the rated power, rpm and pitch, in most cases a tradeoff has to be made in term of propeller efficiency in other to achieve the rated power and rpm, therefore it is advicable to pitch the propeller to achieve the rated power and rpm and a tradeoff is made for the efficiency which in most cases will or may not be much, say 1.5% to 5% with a corresponding percentage increase in rpm. The controllable pitch propeller offers a solution to this dilema. The power of the engine is developed only at the point of intercept of the engine power of 100% power and propeller power for pd = 0.856 as shown in
The propeller curves of
It is noted that changes occur in propeller-hull conditions during service, and these are compensated for by allowing a margin in selecting the design point. Let’s recognize that there are always uncertainties (finite probabilities of error) in design and manufacturing processes. For instance the propeller will not have exactly the pitch ratio specified, or if it did, will it produce the exactly the efficiency and rpm that the design charts predict. Analogous statement can be made for the engine. As a result “hitting the corner” precisely can only happen fortuitously. Fortunately, the consequences of this handicap can be handled by modification to the design process. It has been said that the engine develops it rated power when it produces it rated bmep at the rated rpm, and that the propeller pitch ratio should be chosen so that this condition is attained.
Sea state, wind, hull roughness, propeller roughness, and draft all affects the speed-power relationship of the vessel. In most instances the changes are unfavorable e.g. bottom is rougher and weather is worse than under design conditions. In terms of the power-rpm plot, this means that the propeller characteristics will shift to the left of the curves. The consequences to the engine will result
in power loss. Either the engine must slow down, thus losing its power capability, or if rpm is to be maintained, the engine must be over loaded. But an eventual 20% increase in resistance at design speed appears to be reasonable estimate of the hull roughening factor for an ocean going vessel,
If the engine is unable to provide enough torque to turn the propeller, the shaft slows down, and the thrust and speed will drop to equilibrium. However this condition may not allow the engine to achieve full rpm for a fixed pitch propeller, so the engine may smoke and lug and eventually suffer damage. This is especially a problem with turbo charged engines because they depend on air flow to cool the heads, and in the long run can be damage by lugging. Which is why we need to know the engine characteristics properly and the need for
sequential turbo charging is essential in such transient condition. The amount of either power or torque available varies with rpm. The data for a specific engine is generally available from the manufacturer. The solution is to select the engine and choose the propeller pitch so that design speed is attained on trial trip with a bmep less than rated. Then when deteriorations occur in service, bmep can be increased up to the rating without overload. On sea trial trip, the engine will not reach its full power, and the vessel its maximum possible speed, because it will reach maximum rpm before reaching rated bmep. A partial remedy for this handicap is to allow a margin in rpm also. As it can be seen from figure 4.10, the advance ratio has shift from 0.53 in design condition to 0.35 in the sea trial condition consequently the propeller efficiency has also dropped from 0.566 to 0.52 with a corresponding pitch of 0.764. however because we are using a CPP and from the program design the range of pitch fall within 0.5 to 1.4 then the pitch range will be accommodated. This will have been a problem for fixed pitch propeller because the vessel will have been operating outside the operational envelope but CCP has eliminated this margin. So rather than operating the vessel out of the operational envelope which puts the engine on overload it can operate comfortably within that range because the CPP will adjust it pitch to suit the condition. For every change in resistance due to fouling, experiment shows that it is equivalent to a change of pitch.
From the
The defect in CODAG leads to consideration of CODOG. If only one or the other engine is run, then each can be matched independently to the propeller so that each can develop its full capability. The only defect here is that the two engines cannot run together, since they would be over-speed, and maximum power is less than with CODAG. But with the CPP this offers a solution to the challenge.
The process of matching is basically one of working with the power-rpm or
torque-rpm characteristics of engine and of propeller. Since respective characteristics are always represented graphically, therefore the matching techniques will involve finding the intersection (i.e. Points where torque, power, rpm are equal) of these curves, then adjusting engine or propeller parameters to place these intersections at the desired location (John, 1976).
It therefore becomes very imperative for the designer to utilize this degree of freedom from CCP by linking the pitch control and the throttle control in a definite program. This is the case in the case study vessel and is what has been developed through the prop-matching.
Ogar, O.B., Nitonye, S. and John-Hope, I. (2018) Design Analysis and Optimal Matching of a Controllable Pitch Propeller to the Hull and Diesel Engine of a CODOG System. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 6, 53-74. https://doi.org/10.4236/jpee.2018.63005
Symbol Definition
CODAD Combined Diesel and Diesel
CODAG Combine Diesel and Gas,
CODOG Combined Diesel or Gas
CPP Controllable Pitch Propeller
DP Dynamic Positioning
EM Engine Margin
EAR Expanded Area Ratio
ITTC International Towing Tank Conference
JIP Joint Industry Projects
MARIN Maritime and research institute of the Netherlands
MCR Maximum Continuous Rating
NNS Nigeria Navy Ship
PD Pitch Ratio
PTO’s power take offs
SSC Self-Synchronising Clutch
J Advance Ratio
Kt Thrust coefficient
Kq Torque Coefficient
P D Propeller Design Power
P E Effective Power
K S Measured of Surface Roughness.
L w l Length on the waterline
T = Torque
J = Polar 2nd Moment of Area (M4)
τ = Shear Stress (N/M2)
R = Radius of Shaft.
G = Modulus of Elasticity (N/M2)
θ = Angle of Shaft Twist (radians)
L = Length of shaft twisting (M)
C A Roughness allowance coefficient
C A A Resistance coefficient
C F Model frictional resistance coefficient
C F S Frictional resistance coefficient for smooth hull
C T Total measured resistance coefficient
C T S Total ship resistance coefficient
C R Residuary resistance coefficient
S Wetted Surface area of model
S S Wetted surface area of ship
L s = the length of the ship
L m = the length of model
η S Shaft Efficiency
η G B Gear Box Efficiency
η T R Transmission Efficiency
F n m Model’s Froude number
V A Speed of Advance
P / D The pitch diameter ratio
A E / A O The blade area ratio
Z The number of blades
R e The Reynolds number of a characteristic radius (0.75R).
t / c The ratio of the maximum propeller blade thickness to the length of the cord at a characteristics radius (0.75R).
t Thrust deduction
w Wake fraction
V m Models Speed
V S Ship’s speed
g Acceleration due to gravity
λ Scale Factor
Δ Mass displacement
η O Open water efficiency
n P Propeller efficiency
η H Hull Efficiency
η R Relative Rotative Efficiency
ρ Density