Large Diameter Propeller for General Cargo Vessel

Improving vessel propulsive efficiency is a fundamental aspect of reducing fuel burn and hence reducing CO₂, and this in turn will result in corresponding reduction in SOx, NOx and PM. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) assessment and scale model tests carried out in STREAMLINE, an EU Framework 7 project, demonstrated that a large propeller design has the potential to significantly improve the propulsive efficiency of a vessel.

In LeanShips the Large Diameter Propeller Demo Case takes this concept a step further leading to a commercially viable full scale vessel design. This Demo Case assesses the benefits of a new hull design incorporating a Large Diameter Propeller in a traditional position but with much reduced propeller/hull clearance.  The main work will consist of developing a Large Diameter Propeller system and integrated aft-ship design for an ice-class general cargo ship, undertaking a CFD performance assessment at full scale simulating a 25,000TDW ice-class demo vessel, and validating this assessment using model testing. The final output of the Demo Case will be a full basic vessel design capable of being further matured into detailed full scale vessel design.