Cavitating flow simulations based on the bubble dynamics

Abstract

A new numerical method for simulating cavitating flows is developed. The cavitation is modeled with the dynamics of bubbles which radii change with Rayleigh-Plesset equation. The pressure inside of a bubble is modeled from the results of very precise direct simulation of single bubble motion. The bubbles are also allowed to have slip velocities so that the bubble accumulation could be simulated. Pseudocompressibility concept for incompressible flow simulation is extended for the present systems of equations for efficient and robust computations. Computations of two- and three-dimensional cavitating flows verify the present method and show its capability to the practical applications of cavitating flows.