An investigation into the gate rudder system design for propulsive performance using design of experiment method

ABSTRACT

The Gate Rudder System (GRS) is an innovative energy-saving device integrating the steering and propulsion of ships. Despite demonstrated potential, optimal GRS design remains underexplored. This study used a Design of Experiment (DoE) approach to investigate the sensitivity of key design variables of the GRS on the ship's powering performance. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis was employed to calculate the respective flow variables at each design point, and the most effective geometrical parameter was identified as the rudder angle based on the correlations. Surprisingly, the analyses revealed that the best powering performance was not observed with the highest rudder thrust force generated. Instead, the optimal design was found to be one that maximizes the overall energy savings by achieving the most favorable interaction between the propeller, hull, and GR. High-fidelity CFD validates results. This study bridges the gap in GRS design for powering efficiency, contributing to technology's performance optimisation.

KEYWORDS:

• Energy-saving device (ESD)
• gate rudder system (GRS)
• powering
• steering
• propulsion‌
• design of experiment (DoE)
• optimisation‌
• computational fluid dynamics (CFD)

Acknowledgements

The Authors gratefully acknowledge the invaluable discussions and comments received from their colleague Dr. Noriyuki Sasaki (Hon. Prof. of Strathclyde University) and the experimental data used in the paper generated during the H2020 GATERS project. This paper is based on the activities conducted in the collaborative European project GATERS which is an Innovation Action Project funded by the EC H2020 Programme (ID: 860337) with the independent aim and objectives. The project has an official sub-license agreement with Wartsila Netherlands BV to utilize the Gate Rudder Patent (EP 3103715) at specific retrofit projects of vessel sizes below 15000 DWT. We are grateful for the opportunity to express our appreciation to Friendship Systems AG for their invaluable support in providing the CAESES software license. This paper primarily presents the outcomes derived from activities performed within the CAESES environment, and their contribution has been instrumental in enabling the Authors to conduct the Design of Experiment study. Their generosity and collaboration have played a significant role in the successful completion of this research, and we extend our sincere gratitude to Friendship Systems AG for their partnership.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by University of Strathclyde [grant number EC H2020 Programme ID: 860337].