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ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
ESTD Year: 2017 | Impact Factor (2026): 8.7
DOI Prefix: 10.47001/IRJIET
Vol 10 No 6 (2026): Volume 10, Issue 6, June 2026 | Pages: 266-276
International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology
OPEN ACCESS | Research Article | Published Date: 27-06-2026
Hybrid aerial-underwater vehicles (HAUVs) require propulsion systems capable of operating efficiently in two fluids with significantly different physical properties. Conventional solutions typically employ separate propulsion systems for aerial and underwater operation, increasing system complexity, weight, and power consumption. This work presents the design methodology and numerical investigation of a dual-medium propeller intended for operation in both air and water. The propeller geometry was developed using Blade Element Theory (BET) combined with aerofoil performance data obtained from the NACA 4412 profile. Analytical predictions of thrust and torque were used to establish the blade chord and twist distributions, while computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to assess the aerodynamic and hydrodynamic behaviour of the final geometry.
A steady Reynolds-Averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) formulation with the SST k–ω turbulence model was employed to evaluate propeller performance in both operating media. Structural calculations were conducted to provide a first-order assessment of bending, torsional, and centrifugal stresses acting on the blade. Results indicate that the proposed design methodology produces a propeller capable of generating useful thrust in both air and water while maintaining acceptable preliminary structural integrity. The study establishes a framework for dual medium propeller development and provides a foundation for future experimental validation and optimisation.
Dual-medium propeller, hybrid aerial underwater vehicle, Blade Element Theory, computational fluid dynamics, NACA 4412, propeller design.
Hritika Chafekar, Prasad Gonewar, Karan Kunte, Dheeraj Kamble, & Dr. Sunil Patil. (2026). Design Methodology of a Dual-Medium Propeller Using BET. International Research Journal of Innovations in Engineering and Technology - IRJIET, 10(6), 266-276. Article DOI https://doi.org/10.47001/IRJIET/2026.106034
This work is licensed under Creative common Attribution Non Commercial 4.0 Internation Licence
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