Propeller wake wash for ice management

Abstract

Propeller wake wash has been used effectively for ice management operations for years. The main uses of propeller wake wash include clearing pack ice and broken ice from protected installations and shipping channels. A numerical model of a propeller wake has been developed to simulate the effects of the wake, or jet, on ice pieces floating on the water surface. The propeller wake is modeled using the theory of horizontal round jets as well as empirical equations derived from previous experiments. The modification of the propeller jet due to the free surface is modeled using experimental results for round jets. A dynamic model of ice piece motion is used to simulate the action of the jet on ice pieces. Model predictions are compared to experimental results of pack ice subjected to propeller wake wash. The analysis shows that the model can be used to simulate the clearing of pack ice. The model was subsequently incorporated in a real time simulator to assess its performance in 3D rendered virtual environments.