BOUNDARY LAYER ADDITIVES TO REDUCE SHIP RESISTANCE

Pipes, flat plates and submerged bodies have been used to investigate the phenomenon whereby up to 50 percent reduction in frictional resistance can be achieved by using boundary layer additives in very dilute concentrations. Various theories have been advanced about the physical mechanism involved. Among results obtained with ship models, AEW reduce the frictional resistance of a frigate form some 20-30 percent by continuously injecting polymer solution into the boundary layer to produce a nominal concentration of 10 wppm. AEW and AML then carried out a full scale trial in a coastal minesweeper using equipment for continuously preparing solutions of polyox WSR301 and making provision for boundary layer sampling. The fuel consumption of the CMS was reduced by up to 17 percent at 9 knots in spite of the Polyox being unevenly distributed in the boundary layer, but the result was grossly uneconomical in terms of current prices of Polyox and diesel oil. Even when employing an injection technique of greatly increased efficiency in a large ship such as a supertanker or containership, there seems little prospect of utilizing boundary layer additives for profit until the cost of additive materials has been drastically reduced from present day levels.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03060209
• Corporate Authors:

  Royal Institution of Naval Architects

  10 Upper Belgrave Street
  ,   United States 
• Authors:
  • Canham, HJS
  • Catchpole, J P
  • Long, R F
• Publication Date: 1971-7

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 187-213
• Serial:
  • Naval Architect
  • Issue Number: 2
  • ISSN: 0306-0209

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Additives; Boundary layer flow; Drag; Injection molding; Polymers; Ship trials
• Old TRIS Terms: Drag reduction; Polymer additives; Polymer ejection systems
• Subject Areas: Design; Marine Transportation; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00041366
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Ship Structure Committee
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 2 1973 12:00AM