Model Resistance & Propulsion Tests of a Bulk Carrier, C2591-09CT14-RAP01

Experiments have been carried out at CNR-INSEAN of a Bulk Carrier model equipped alternatively with three different Pre-Swirl Stator devices (PSS), one of the simplest energy saving device (ESD). The tested PSS's are 5-bladed and 6-bladed stator, mounted on the stern boss just upstream of the propeller for generating swirling flow to the propeller. Their presence in general improves the propulsive efficiency and results in a power reduction. The hull model was tested without stators too, for establishing a base line. At the designed full condition a propulsion performance index Qn reduction up to 6% was measured. This gain reduces to 4% if the comparisons refer to the full scale prediction. An assessment of the accuracy of the measurement was performed for the Full Load no-PSS configuration. The combined standard uncertainty uc results equal to 1% for torque, 0.5% for the rate of revolutions and less than 1% for thrust.