PROPELLER GRINDING MEANS FUEL SAVING

This study was carried out following the underwater propeller-grinding of the Soviet cargoship SENEGALES by the Belgian firm Hydrex in Antwerp. Modern statistical methods demonstrated that the hydrodynamic propulsion performance improved by 4%, i.e. at any frequency of rotation a 4% lower engine output was required. The reduction of propeller roughness from 12-15 mcm to 2-5 mcm resulted in reduced fuel-consumption at full power; 3.6% at 130rpm and 4% at the economy regime of 110rpm. Due to the improved propeller performance, at the same engine output, the speed of the ship after the propeller grinding increased by 0.17 kn.