Accuracy Improvement for Propeller Cavitation Noise Prediction Using UDF

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 02 | Page : 18 26
    By

    IlGuk Song,

  • JungHun Pae,

  • PokHyon Om,

  • KwangIl Ri,

  1. Faculty, Kim Chaek University of Technology, Pyongyang, Taesong District, Korea
  2. Faculty, Kim Chaek University of Technology, Pyongyang, Taesong District, Korea
  3. Faculty, Kim Chaek University of Technology, Pyongyang, Taesong District, Korea
  4. Faculty, Kim Chaek University of Technology, Pyongyang, Taesong District, Korea

Abstract

Recently, there has been an increase in demand for propulsion systems with higher hydrodynamic performance and lower underwater-radiated noise, as environmental issues are gaining more attention in addition to the traditional military necessity. It is important to reduce cavitation noise when designing propellers of the ships, especially for oceanographic research vessels because they use acoustic instruments and cavitation noise can interfere with their operation. It is well known that, when the cavitation occurs on the propeller, the tonal and broadband noise increase rapidly in the wide frequency range. Therefore, it is indispensable to quantitatively predict the propeller cavitation noise. In the previous papers, the prediction of cavitation noise using the Schnerr-Sauer cavitation model, which was constructed by neglecting the second-order and viscous terms of the Rayleigh-Plesset bubble dynamics equation, resulted in large errors compared with the experimental data. In this study, we have used numerical simulations using MRF (Multiple Reference Systems) technique to predict cavitation and cavitation noise around propellers. The formulation of Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) with k-omega shear transport and fast Fourier transform is applied to the simulation. The far-field radiation under different operating conditions is calculated by the Efowcs Williams-Hawkings (FW-H) equation. The model defined by the user-defined function (UDF) considering the second-order terms and surface tension terms in the Rayleigh-Plesset bubble dynamics equation is used as a cavitation model. The effect of the advance coefficient on the cavitation and cavitation noise is simulated. The validity of the present numerical method is verified by comparing the predicted sound pressure spectrum with the measured sound pressure spectrum. Finally, Results by Schnerr-Sauer model and UDF model are compared of experiment result. Results by UDF model are in better agreement with experimental results than by Schnerr-Sauer. The obtained UDF model and results can be used to optimize the operating parameters of the induced pattern of noise radiation in underwater vehicles.

Keywords: Underwater propeller, fluent, cavitation, numerical simulation, propeller cavitation noise, UDF

[This article belongs to Journal of Experimental & Applied Mechanics ]

How to cite this article:
IlGuk Song, JungHun Pae, PokHyon Om, KwangIl Ri. Accuracy Improvement for Propeller Cavitation Noise Prediction Using UDF. Journal of Experimental & Applied Mechanics. 2025; 16(02):18-26.
How to cite this URL:
IlGuk Song, JungHun Pae, PokHyon Om, KwangIl Ri. Accuracy Improvement for Propeller Cavitation Noise Prediction Using UDF. Journal of Experimental & Applied Mechanics. 2025; 16(02):18-26. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joeam/article=2025/view=227270


References

  1. Agung Purwana. Performance and Noise Prediction of Marine Propeller Using Numerical Simulation. The 3rd International Seminar on Science and Technology. 2017; 20–25.
  2. Efowcs Williams JE, Hawkings DL. Sound Generation by Turbulence and Surfaces in Arbitrary Motion. Philos Trans R Soc A Math Phys Sci. 1969; 264: 321–342.
  3. Xiuchang Huang, Shuaikang Shi. Reducing underwater radiated noise of a SUBOFF model propelled by a pump-jet without tip clearance: Numerical simulation. Ocean Eng. 2022 Jan; 243: 110277.
  4. Frans Hendrik Lafeber, Johan Bosschers. Prediction of Underwater Radiated Noise from Propeller Cavitation During Concept Design. 7th International Symposium of Marine Propulsors. 2022; 1432(012071): 35–38.
  5. Salvatore FS, Ianniello S. Preliminary Results on Acoustic Modelling of Cavitating Propellers. Comp Mechanics. 2003; 32: 291–300.
  6. Moreau R. Fundamentals of Cavitation. Fluid Mechanics and its Applications. Dordrecht: Kluwer Academic Publishers; 2004; 83: 10–146.
  7. Nurwidhi Asrowibowo, Mahendra Indiaryanto, Rina. Optimization Design and Hydrodynamic Test on Propeller Mini Submarine. Journal of Aeronautical-Science and Engineering (JAse). 2016 Jan; 27: 8–12.
  8. Sezen S, Atlar M, Fitzsimmons P, Sasaki N, Tani G, Yilmaz N, Aktas B. Numerical cavitation noise prediction of a benchmark research vessel propeller. Ocean Eng. 2020 Sep 1; 211: 107549.
  9. Bagheri MR, Mehdigholi H, Seif MS, Yaakob O. An experimental and numerical prediction of marine propeller noise under cavitating and non-cavitating conditions. Brodogradnja: An International Journal of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering for Research and Development. 2015 Jun 30; 66(2): 29–45.

10.       Koukouvinis P, Naseri H, Gavaises M. Performance of turbulence and cavitation models in prediction of incipient and developed cavitation. Int J Engine Res. 2017              Apr; 18(4): 333–50

Regular Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 16
Issue 02
Received 17/05/2025
Accepted 01/07/2025
Published 25/07/2025
Publication Time 69 Days
164

Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics