Numerical Analysis on Unsteady Cavitation by Direct Interface Tracking Approach

Abstract

Cavitation may cause a severe damage to rocket engine turbo-pump, and appropriate handling of cavitation is one of the key technologies for rocket engine development. Numerical simulation is quite useful technique, however, simulation result strongly relies on cavitation model. Cavitation flow is essentially strong unsteady and multi scale phenomena, scales of bubbles vary in size from small to large. Therefore, prediction of cavitation by numerical simulation is difficult. Many cavitation models have been proposed and researched. However, direct interface tracking approach has not been applied to cavitating flow and the model characteristic is not fully understood. This research shows direct interface tracking method can properly capture both cloud cavitation and super cavitation and grid resolution affects lift coefficient.