Resistance Analysis of Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)

Department of Naval Architecture, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Indonesia's vast underwater resources and infrastructure necessitate advanced technologies for exploration and maintenance. Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) have emerged as essential tools, offering safe and efficient underwater operations. However, their performance is affected by hydrodynamic drag, influencing maneuverability and energy efficiency. This study may differ from previous research due to the ROV model used. The TKD Laboratory UUV model, named Segara Nauta with the type code SN-01, is currently under development in the TKD Laboratory of the Department of Naval Architecture, Faculty of Marine Technology (FTK) – ITS is used for this study. This study is focused on investigates the drag characteristics of the SN-01 ROV using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. Grid independence tests identified an optimal mesh resolution of 1,163,064 elements, balancing computational efficiency and accuracy. Resistance tests at varying speeds (0.3– 1.0 m/s) and movement directions revealed that resistance increases with speed. Forward-backward resistance ranged from 0.0019 N to 0.0190 N, while sideways resistance was significantly higher, from 0.0049 N to 0.0481 N, due to greater surface exposure. The resistance on the ROV increases as the speed of the ROV increases, therefore it is necessary to conduct a study on the service speed of the ROV SN-01 because it can affect the selection of the engine used so that the ROV can work effectively and efficiently. These findings underscore the influence of motion direction and speed on hydrodynamic resistance, emphasizing the need for optimized ROV designs. The results provide valuable insights for improving ROV efficiency, supporting Indonesia’s sustainable underwater exploration and maritime infrastructure maintenance.