CFD analysis of the full-scale resistance of an oil tanker in presence of a mud–water interface

CFD analysis of the full-scale resistance of an oil tanker in presence of a mud–water interface

Lovato, S. (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN))
Toxopeus, S.L. (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN))
Settels, J.W. (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands (MARIN))
Keetels, G.H. (TU Delft Offshore and Dredging Engineering)
Kirichek, Alex (TU Delft Rivers, Ports, Waterways and Dredging Engineering)

2024

The presence of mud layers on the bottom of ports and waterways can have negative effects on the hydrodynamic behaviour of marine vessels. This numerical study investigates the effect of muddy seabeds on the full-scale resistance of an oil tanker sailing straight ahead. The objective is to determine the influence of factors such as the densimetric Froude number, UKC and mud rheology at speeds between 3 and 9 knots. The numerical study is conducted using a finite-volume Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) flow solver combined with the Volume-Of-Fluid (VOF) method to capture the mud–water interface. At certain critical speeds, the presence of mud increased the ship’s total resistance by up to 15 times compared to the case with solid bottoms. The non-Newtonian rheology of mud was found to influence the ship’s resistance mainly at low speeds and when sailing through the mud layer. This article also shows that, when sailing through mud, the computed resistance at high speeds may be underestimated because of two effects, namely ‘water lubrication’ and ‘numerical ventilation’.

Shallow water
CFD
KVLCC2
Nautical bottom
Mud rheology

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:28141475-92bf-45e9-b27c-17dd56021692

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oceaneng.2024.116700

0029-8018

Ocean Engineering, 294 (116700)

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2024 S. Lovato, S.L. Toxopeus, J.W. Settels, G.H. Keetels, Alex Kirichek