Numerical simulations of propeller slipstream flows using actuator disk theory

The flow around propeller is very complex, and the unsteady simulation method costs too much to handle it. To overcome this, actuator disk based on the load distribution of rotating blades simulated by unsteady method is presented. Analysis of the introduction of rotational velocity jump causing the swirl is conducted for the simulation of slipstream. The axial and tangential velocities in the slipstream simulated using actuator disk model agree well with the time-averaged results from unsteady simulation. Additionally, the actuator disk theory cuts down the simulation time, which is appreciated in engineering.