IN-SERVICE PROPELLER POLISHING

Much has been written over the past several years regarding the desirability of maintaining the ship's propeller in a clean, smooth and foul-free conditions and the effects of deteriorating blade surface condition on vessel performance and fuel economy. In general, predictions of the penalties associated with increasing propeller roughness have been based on computer simulation methods or theoretical analyses. In June 1985 an in-service propeller polishing program was developed by Sohio Oil Company in an attempt to quantify on a full-scale basis the benefits attributable to in-service propeller polishing. All polishings have been conducted with the propeller submerged utilising divers. Prior to this, the condition of the propeller blades was typically addressed only when the ship was out of service and on dock. This paper discusses the theory of in-service propeller polishing and presents the benefits identified by periodically polishing the propellers on selected ships within the Sohio Oil fleet and how these benefits justify establishing a fleetwide propeller maintenance program. Based on the authors investigations it is reasonable to expect fuel savings in the order of 1-3% through in-service propeller polishing on a quarterly or semiannual basis.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Soc. N.A.M.E., Propellers '88 Symposium, held Virginia Beach, Va, 20-21 Sept. 1988, Paper No. 12 [7 pp., 4 ref., 2 tab., 4 fig., 3 phot.]
• Authors:
  • Witmer, D J
  • Whiteside, R M
• Publication Date: 1988

Language

• English

Subject/Index Terms

• Old TRIS Terms: Propeller cleaning
• Subject Areas: Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00694234
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Maritime Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 14 1995 12:00AM