MOERI¡¯s Low Noise Large Cavitation Tunnel
The motivation for the construction of the tunnel(L-CAT) was the desire of the Korean Shipbuilding Companies and R.O.K Navy to have a recirculating variable-pressure facility enough to conduct model tests of completely appended hull models. That is, hull models equipped with the propulsor and all appendages such that the interaction among components could be evaluated. The need for model tests of the complete hull-propulsor-appendages system has become more important as the technology to produce more finely-tuned ship designs with advanced design concepts has evolved.

As the need for large, high speed and low noise ships has increased, interest in cavitation problems has grown. Cavitation causes energy loses, erosion of surface of propulsor and rudder, under-water noise and hull vibrations which adversely affect the performance of ships. These new designs result in improved speed, propulsion efficiency and quieting but require improved model test facilities and techniques to verify the design features prior to committing to full scale ship construction.

The L-CAT with large test section (2.8m width, 1.8m height and 12.5m length) enables complete tests with fully appended models including interaction between hull and appendages, which is essential for developing high performance ships of energy saving, low noise and vibrations, less erosive characteristics.

The L-CAT construction project was initiated in June 2004 and will be completed in Jan. 2009. funded by Ministry of Knowledge Economy of Korea, many Korean shipbuilding companies and MOERI/KORDI.