Optimization of drag reduction effect of air lubrication for a tanker model

The reduction of CO2 emissions has been a key target in the marine industry since the IMO's MEPC published its findings in 2009. Air lubrication method is one of the mature technologies for commercialization to reduce the frictional resistance and enhance fuel efficiency of ships. Air layer is formed by the coalescence of the injected air bubbles beyond a certain air flow rate. In this study, a model ship (λ = 33.33) of a 50,000 ton medium range tanker is equipped with an air lubrication system. The experiments were conducted in the 100 m long towing tank facility at the Pusan National University. By selecting optimal air injector configuration and distribution ratio between two injectors, the total resistance of model RTM was able to be reduced down to 18.1% in the model scale. Key issue was found to suppress the sideway leakage of injected air by appropriate injection parameters.