Numerical Research on Hull-Propeller-Rudder-Ice Interaction of Full-Scale Polar Transport Ship in Brash Ice Channel

A strong nonlinear ice load has a significant impact on the resistance and power demand of polar transport ships under different drafts in brash ice channels. In this study, the CFD-DEM coupling method is used to investigate the self-propulsion performance of a full-scale polar transport ship in brash ice channels. The interactions between the full-scale polar transport ship, propeller, rudder, and brash ice are effectively simulated. First, the hydrodynamic performance of an open-water propeller is tested, and it is found that the numerical errors of efficiency and the experimental result are less than 8%. Then, the ice resistance, total thrust, effective power, delivered power, and propulsive efficiency of the polar transport ship under different draft conditions are studied, and the results are in good agreement with those of the self-propulsion model tests in the brash ice channel. Through a numerical simulation of self-propulsion in the brash ice channel, self-propulsion points under different drafts and brash ice thicknesses are obtained. It is found that the propeller rotation speed is closely related to the draft depth. Finally, experiments and numerical simulations of the total ice resistance are carried out under different brash ice thicknesses, and the results are consistent with those of the empirical formulas. The accuracy of the three empirical formulas under different drafts is compared. This research work determines the resistance, power demand, and propulsive efficiency of a polar transport ship under given ice conditions and speeds, as well as the self-propulsion points under different ice thicknesses. It is of great significance for the control of ships in polar navigation.