VICUSdt is an engineering and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) consultancy firm working for shipbuilding, shipping, offshore, and energy industries.
With a history of over 1,500 projects for more than 500 customers in 50 countries, since 2007 VICTUSdt has worked for shipyards, shipowners, naval architects, and ship management companies worldwide. The company specialises in propulsion systems design, including fixed pitch propellers (FPPs), controllable pitch propeller (CPP) blades, nozzles, and rudders. VICUSdt has also developed a specific working line for the design and implementation of energy saving devices, including pre-duct, pre-swirl stator, propeller boss cap fins (PBCF), and more.
The VICUSdt engineering team also provides high-quality technical support for manufacturing and commissioning complete propulsion systems. The company’s foundry works together with first level suppliers, ensuring top quality in all products.
CFD analysis for ship performance optimisation
VICUSdt has developed extensive knowledge of ship performance after implementing computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in all ship design and optimisation processes.
By using the most advanced CFD tools on the market, the engineering team assists clients in the development of ship hulls and propulsion systems during renovation or retrofitting projects.
In 2013, VICUSdt launched its EXPRESS ENERGY-EFFICIENCY FEASIBILITY analysis for the specific evaluation of energy-saving technologies in each retrofit. The CFD-based Express analysis calculates the potential savings with consumption reduction technologies and their associated cost for their implementation.
Custom-designed FP propellers and CPP blades
VICUSdt designs and manufactures propellers for any kind of vessel, including merchant vessels, IWW vessels, offshore vessels, tug and dredgers, navy and patrol vessels, fishing vessels, and oceanographic and research vessels, as well as cruises yachts and ferries.
The CFD-based design of the controllable pitch (CP) blades and fixed-pitch (FP) propellers, both for retrofit and new build projects, is tailored to the real operational conditions of the vessel, thus offering the best possible performance.
VICUSdt’s mechanical engineering team works closely with CDF engineers to assess the structural behaviour of the propellers using Finite Element Analysis (FEA / FEM) when required by Society Class Rules in cases such as Ice Class propellers.
The company assists clients with the design, manufacturing, and supply processes for the complete propulsion system, including the shaft line, stern tube, nozzle, and rudder. VICUSdt also supplies shafting calculation: alignment and torsional analysis, as well as whirling and axial vibration analysis.
Energy saving devices (ESDs), CFD design, and implementation for the shipping industry
Energy saving devices (ESD) are systems that allow for the improvement of vessel propulsive efficiency. The selection of a device from among the existing technologies, or the combination of them, must consider the specific vessel and its operation conditions. In order to achieve the greatest propulsive efficiency, the ESD must be designed together with the propeller or propeller-nozzle assembly to achieve the greatest propulsive efficiency.
VICUSdt uses CFD-based design methodologies to aid in the selection of the most suitable ESD and their detailed design. This methodology has been developed and validated using 15 years of experience in designing propellers and nozzles and this knowledge has already been applied to optimise the design of pre-ducts, pre-swirl stator (PSS), PBCF, and rudder bulbs.
VICUSdt’s services include the manufacturing of the devices, or the coordination of manufacturing activities if other parties are selected by the customer, the ESDs classification with Class Societies, and commissioning during vessel dry docking.
CFD hydrodynamics for ship resistance and trim optimisation
VICUSdt specialises in CFD hydrodynamics for many different types of vessels. Its most frequent services include:
- Ship resistance and powering prediction
- Trim optimisation
- Wakefield and streamline analysis
- Hull form optimisation
- Self-propulsion and bollard pull analysis
- The optimisation of moonpool and appendages
- Seakeeping analysis
- Maneuver capacity and DP evaluation
Combining CFD simulation with analytical tools, such as NavCad, the resistance of the vessel is accurately obtained for different conditions, such as calm water or various sea states, while also considering the bare hull or included appendages.
Running the ship on the optimal trim is one of the most efficient ways of saving fuel on merchant vessels. The stern immersion, together with the bulbous bow location related to the free surface, can be optimised to minimise the resistance for different combinations of mean draft, trim, and speed.
VICUSdt works with leading European shipowners to deliver data sets of trim results for use on loading computers or standalone. The company’s reference list includes containerships, tankers, ferries, and multipurpose (MPP) vessels.
CFD aerodynamics for ships
VICUSdt also has an engineering team devoted to CFD aerodynamics for vessels, which allows for the analysis of the air or gas flows over and around the vessels.
Typical applications include the calculation of aerodynamic forces and moments over the superstructure and hull, for cases in which they can imply a significant contribution to ship resistance, including speed boats, the design of dynamic positioning systems, or the dimensioning of anchoring and mooring.
It is typically used in the assessment of gas exhaust systems, as they allow for the calculation of gas flows and temperatures surrounding the vessel.
CFD aerodynamic methodologies are also applied in the helideck design when analysing the effects of wind turbulence or calculating air flow instabilities due to superstructure or thermal flow from gas exhaust systems. These are critical factors to ensure safety in helicopter operations and landing.
About VICUSdt
VICUSdt’s is an official distributor of Binsfeld Engineering, providing reliable solutions for the monitoring of the power delivered to the propeller, as well as torquemeters for the continuous operation of sea trial kits.
VICUSdt is the European distributor of the award-winning software from Hydrocomp. NavCad, PropCad, and PropElements are also powerful tools for propeller design and ship power prediction.
