Effects of Reynolds number on the unsteady performance and flow of a pre-swirl stator pump-jet propulsor

Reynolds number is important when experimenting or numerical predicting an underwater propulsor. In order to assess the Reynolds effects on numerical prediction, this paper considers the performance and flow of a pre-swirl stator pump-jet propulsor (PJP) under different working points, where the Reynolds number is controlled by varying the oncoming flow velocity and rotating speed. Numerical predictions are conducted through a hybrid turbulence modelling approach, named the embedded large eddy simulation, whose predictions of performance and flow of the PJP show good agreements with experiments. Then, the performance, force components, flow, and vortical systems around the PJP are discussed and analysed. Results indicate that not only the propulsion performance but also the unsteady fluctuating forces and flow are considerably affected by the Reynolds number. The performance is slightly affected after a Reynolds number higher than two times the critical Reynolds number suggested by the International Towing Tank Conference (ITTC). More importantly, the stator wake is highly affected and causes high fluctuations of thrust and torque of the rotor when the Reynolds number is below two times the critical Reynolds number. This work provides some new insights into the numerical calculating of PJP hydrodynamics and contributes to exploring the unsteady characteristics and rotor-stator interaction.