Abstract
Currently, there are more than 1,800 vessels that are equipped with PBCF (Propeller Boss Cap Fins), a trustworthy energy saving device which contributes not only to fuel oil consumption savings, but also to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
The PBCF mainly recovers the energy loss at the propeller hub vortex downstream of the propeller, and lowers fuel consumption by 5% at constant speed operation, or boost speed by 2% with the same fuel consumption.
In the earlier section of this paper, the basic hydrodynamic mechanism of the PBCF as an energy saving device is described. Then, outline of the recent R&D efforts carried out in the past few years to improve the PBCF’s fuel saving effect are described. Although it is still ongoing, the geometric shape of the existing PBCF is being improved by taking into account knowledge of the hydrodynamic mechanism obtained through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis. The effectiveness of improvements made was confirmed by the model tests.
Finally, in the later section, the possible direction of PBCF improvements necessary for it to be a more effective energy saving device is explained.
