Prediction of ducted propeller performance in cavitating flow using an inviscid-flow formulation by BEM

Two couple of original and final designed model propellers that are, in real scale, mounted on a fishing vessel and on a tug boat, are considered in this report. A CFD study has been performed in cavitating and non-cavitating condition, in ducted and un-ducted configuration; numerical predictions have been also compared to available experimental data. Aim of this report is the hydrodynamic analysis and the comparison between propellers under different operative conditions. After a brief description of the theoretical model used for the prediction of cavity extension, a description of test cases follows. Performances are predicted for each couple of model propellers; a preliminary analysis on the effect of the cavitation number on the cavity volume is also reported. Finally, comparisons are reported considering cavity extension and blade pressure distributions.