A Navier-Stokes Solution of Hull-Ring Wing-Thruster Interaction

Navier-Stokes simulations of high Reynolds number flow around an axisymmetric body supported in a water tunnel were made. The numerical method is based on a finite-differencing high resolution second-order accurate implicit upwind scheme. Four different configurations were investigated, these are, 1. barebody, 2. body with an operating propeller, 3. body with a ring wing and 4. body with a ring wing and an operating propeller. Pressure and velocity components near the stern region were obtained computationally and are shown to compare favourably with the experimental data. The method correctly predicts the existence and extent of stern flow separation for the barebody and the absence of slow separation for the three other configurations with ring wing and/or propeller.