Numerical simulation of wake evolution of a propeller with notched blades

This study employs an improved delayed detached eddy simulation method to examine the open-water performance and wake evolution of a propeller with notched blades, using an unstructured grid with 52.5 × 106 cells. The numerical method's validity was confirmed by comparing computed thrust and torque coefficients, as well as the flow field, with experimental data. The findings reveal that notched blades significantly reduce the propeller's hydrodynamic performance and accelerate wake instability. The notches introduce substantial disturbances in the surrounding flow, generating numerous small-scale vortices. These vortices interact with neighboring tip vortices, altering their topology and leading to rapid disintegration and the formation of secondary vortex structures. Increasing the number of notches further destabilizes the tip vortex system, causing tip vortices to lose coherence and become uniformly distributed in the mid-field. This study offers a detailed analysis of how notched blade configurations impact propeller performance, near-field flow characteristics, and wake evolution, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms.