CFD and CHA simulation of underwater noise induced by a marine propeller in two-phase flows

A propeller in uniform homogeneous inflow is studied numerically utilizing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational hydroacoustics (CHA). The investigations are performed at one propeller loading in wetted and cavitating conditions. The turbulence is modelled with Chien's k - ε model and Menter's SST k - ω with Explicit Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model (EARSM). The corresponding induced harmonic and broadband noise from the propeller are investigated numerically. The influence of the sheet and tip vortex cavitation and the employed turbulence modelling to the induced noise are studied. In this paper, the Potsdam Propeller Test Case (PPTC) propeller (Barkmann et al., 2011) is investigated. The propeller is operating in push configuration. The performance of the propeller in terms of global forces is compared with the model tests. The cavitation extents are compared with the observations made in model scale tests carried out in a cavitation tunnel. The global performance of the propeller is captured well in wetted and cavitating conditions. A good agreement has been achieved between the simulated and experimentally observed cavitation patterns, especially in the wake of the propeller. The cavitating tip vortex is captured exceptionally well in the simulations. The predicted noise emissions seem reasonable, and effects due to different turbulence closures or due to cavitation are recognized. Validation of the present acoustic simulations with experimental results is still needed.