Understanding The Physics of Trim
Understanding The Physics of Trim
Understanding The Physics of Trim
Trimming a vessel
FORCE Technology have performed more than 50 model trim tests within the last 10 years: Savings up to 15% at specific conditions Overall saving up to 2 to 3% Focus on trim guidance In the following focus will be on the effects that cause the change in power.
Definition:
Trim = TA TF
Positive trim to the aft.
Result of the study may be a change in approach: Now -> Self-propulsion model test Future -> Resistance model test or CFD?
Trim guidance
20
-2.50
-2.00
-1.50
-1.00
-0.50
Trim (m)
0.50 1.00 1.50 2.00
Propulsive power
The propulsive power can be described by the following formula:
PD =
RT V
Speed (V) is kept constant. In order to gain from the trim: Decrease hull resistance (RT) Increase the total propulsive efficiency (T) The effects are analysed individually although they might be dependent on each other.
Hull resistance
Hull resistance according to ITTC-standards:
RT = V 2 S CT
Changes relate to either wetted surface area (S) or the total resistance coefficient (CT).
CT = C R + (1 + k )C F + C A
Form factor (1+k) and allowance coefficient (CA) are kept constant. Changes in the total resistance coefficient will then be a result of: Changed residual resistance coefficient (CR) or Changed frictional resistance coefficient (CA)
16210
16190
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
16170 -0.5 0
Trim (m)
0.5 1 1.5 2
The wetted surface area changes mainly aft due to flat stern region. Changes at the propulsive power are minimum.
CF =
Where Re is the Reynolds number for the flow along the hull.
Re =
V Lwl
Speed and kinematic viscosity (v) are constant, but the water line length changes with trim. Results for Froude number = 0.128
Trim -2.0m 0.0m 2.0m -2.5% 0.0% 1.8% LWL [%] Re [-] 1.91E+09 1.95E+09 2.00E+09 1.415E-03 1.412E-03 1.407E-03 CF [-] PD Lwl [%] 0.2% 0.0% -0.3%
Residual resistance coefficient is the part of the hull resistance most affected by trim!
Trim (m)
0.5 1 1.5 2
-2.5
-2
-1.5
-1
Approx 80% of the total saving by trimming is from changes in the residual resistance coefficient.
Propulsive efficiency
Described by three parts:
T = H 0 RR
Relative rotative efficiency (RR) Propeller efficiency (0) Hull efficiency (H) The hull efficiency can described by two factors:
1 t H = 1 w
Thrust deduction (t) Wake fraction (w)
Thrust deduction
Should be as low as possible in order to gain on the hull efficiency! Function of the propeller thrust (T) and the hull resistance.
t=
T RT T
Results for Froude number = 0.128
Thrust deduction
0.18 0.16 0.14 0.12 Fn=0.128 Fn=0.164 Fn=0.201
Trim (m)
-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5
Wake fraction
Should be as high as possible in order to gain on the hull efficiency! Function of the vessel speed (V) and propeller inflow velocity (VA).
w=
V VA VA
Results for Froude number = 0.128
Wake fraction
0.22 Fn=0.128 Fn=0.164 0.2 Fn=0.201
0.18
Trim (m)
-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1
0.16 -0.5 0
0.5
1.5
Propeller efficiency
Non-dimensionalised result of a propeller test i.e. not in the wake field. Plotted as a function of the advance ratio (J).
Open Water
1 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1
KT 10KQ o
J=
VA nD
Function of the torque in open water (Qow) and torque behind ship (Qship) :
RR
Qow = Qship
Trim (m)
-2.5 -2 -1.5 -1
0.99
The moment measured on the ship/model differs from the moment in open water due to non-uniform flow and the level of turbulence.
0.98 -0.5 0
0.5
1.5
Total change
Trim PD RT [%] PD T [%] PD [%] Ref [%] Diff [%] -2.0m -8.9% -2.7% -11.5% -11.3% -0.3% 0.0m 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 2.0m 16.2% 3.7% 19.9% 20.7% -0.7%
Trim (m)
0% -2.5 -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 -5% -10% -15% 0.5 1 1.5 2
Conclusions
Around 80% of the change in propulsive power origins in changed residual resistance coefficient. Primarily from changed flow around the bulbous bow Remaining 20% are from changes in the propulsive coefficients. Trim guidance from resistance model tests or alternatively RANS CFD can give a reasonable result. Especially if it is combined with experience from self-propulsion tests. The potential theory CFD was found to under predict the change in performance when trimming.