Investigation of pump installation effects in outboard dynamic-inlet waterjet

Modern marine propulsion systems are primarily based on traditional screw propellers, but waterjet propulsion has gained attention as an innovative alternative due to its superior efficiency at high speeds and reduced cavitation effects. This thesis aims to investigate the hydrodynamic performance of a novel axial engine designed for zero-impact naval propulsion. The study, carried out as part of the university research project "Impronta Zero", utilises Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations performed with Ansys Fluent software to analyse the turbomachinery's flow characteristics. The analysis focuses on evaluating propulsive performance and flow dynamics for various configurations, including isolated pump geometry and installed systems with a dynamic inlet to optimize flow guidance. The results reveal an overall efficiency of approximately 70% under design conditions, with hydraulic efficiencies exceeding 85%. These findings highlight the potential for further optimization of the design to minimise losses and enhance the adaptation of waterjet propulsion systems to real-world marine operational scenarios.