Numerical Prediction of Impact Force in Cavitating Flows

A numerical method including a macroscopic cavitation model based on the homogeneous flow theory and a microscopic cavitation model based on the bubble dynamics is proposed for the prediction of the impact force caused by cavitation bubble collapse in cavitating flows. A large eddy simulation solver, which is incorporated with a macroscopic cavitation model, is applied to simulate the unsteady cavitating flows. Based on the simulated flow field, the evolution of the cavitation bubbles is determined by a microscopic cavitation model from the resolution of a Rayleigh–Plesset equation including the effects of the surface tension, the viscosity and compressibility of fluid, the thermal conduction and radiation, the phase transition of water vapor at the interface, and the chemical reactions. The cavitation flow around a hydrofoil is simulated to validate the macroscopic cavitation model. A good quantitative agreement is obtained between the prediction and the experiment. The proposed numerical method is applied to predict the impact force at cavitation bubble collapse on a KT section in cavitating flows. It is found that the shock pressure caused by cavitation bubble collapse is very high. The impact force is predicted qualitatively compared with the experimental data.