Using numerical simulation method to study the open water performance of ducted propeller with rudder can partially replace the model test, thus reducing the design cost of ducted propeller, shortening the design cycle and providing a feasible way to optimize ducted propeller. In this paper, the coordinate transformation formula from local coordinate system to global coordinate system of propeller blade section is derived, and the three-dimensional solid modeling process is given.

The hydrodynamic performance of open-water propeller in viscous flow field is calculated and studied by using computational fluid dynamics software, and the thrust coefficient, torque coefficient, propeller surface pressure distribution and propeller wake field state of ducted propeller under different velocity coefficients are simulated. Then the numerical calculation results of open water performance are compared with the map calculation results. Compared with the experimental model, it is found that Wilcoxk-ω model is more suitable for the calculation of open water performance of ducted propeller, and the calculation method combining structured grid and unstructured grid can meet the engineering accuracy requirements of the prediction of open water performance of ducted propeller. In addition, if we want to get more accurate calculation results, we should improve the grid quality and use structured grids as much as possible. Although the increase of the number of grids does not always mean the decrease of the calculation error, a more reliable calculation result can be obtained by reasonably controlling the fine density of grids.