Search results
1 – 10 of 43Cheng Liu, Qingdong Yan and Houston G. Wood
The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism and suppression of instabilities induced by cavitating flow around a three-dimensional hydrofoil with a particular focus on…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the mechanism and suppression of instabilities induced by cavitating flow around a three-dimensional hydrofoil with a particular focus on cavitation control with a slot.
Design/methodology/approach
The transient cavitating flow around a Clark-Y hydrofoil was investigated using a transport-equation-based cavitation model and the stress-blended eddy simulation model was used to capture the flow turbulence. A homogeneous Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation model was used to model the transient cavitation process and the results were validated with test data. A slot was applied to the hydrofoil to suppress cavitation instabilities, and various slot widths and exit locations were applied to the blade and the cavitation behavior, as well as drag/lift forces, were simulated and compared to investigate the effects of slot geometries on cavitation suppression.
Findings
The large eddy simulation based turbulence model was able to capture the interactions between the cavitation and turbulence. Moreover, the simulation revealed that the re-entrant jet was responsible for the periodic shedding of cavities. The results indicated that a slot was able to mitigate or even suppress cavitation-induced instabilities. A jet flow was generated at the slot exit and disturbed the re-entrant jet. If the slot geometry was properly designed, the jet could block the re-entrant jet and suppress the unsteady cavitation behavior.
Originality/value
This study provides unique insights into the complicated transient cavitation flows around a three-dimensional hydrofoil and introduces an effective passive cavitation control technique useful to researchers and engineers in the areas of fluid dynamics and turbomachinery.
Details
Keywords
P.K. Ullas, Dhiman Chatterjee and S. Vengadesan
Understanding the interaction of turbulence and cavitation is an essential step towards better controlling the cavitation phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to bring out the…
Abstract
Purpose
Understanding the interaction of turbulence and cavitation is an essential step towards better controlling the cavitation phenomenon. The purpose of this paper is to bring out the efficacy of different modelling approaches to predict turbulence and cavitation-induced phase changes.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper compares the dynamic cavitation (DCM) and Schnerr–Sauer models. Also, the effects of different modelling methods for turbulence, unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) and detached eddy simulations (DES) are also brought out. Numerical predictions of internal flow through a venturi are compared with experimental results from the literature.
Findings
The improved predictive capability of cavitating structures by DCM is brought out clearly. The temporal variation of the cavity size and velocity illustrates the involvement of re-entrant jet in cavity shedding. From the vapour fraction contours and the attached cavity length, it is found that the formation of the re-entrant jet is stronger in DES results compared with that by URANS. Variation of pressure, velocity, void fraction and the mass transfer rate at cavity shedding and collapse regions are presented. Wavelet analysis is used to capture the shedding frequency and also the corresponding occurrence of features of cavity collapse.
Originality/value
Based on the performance, computational time and resource requirements, this paper shows that the combination of DES and DCM is the most suitable option for predicting turbulent-cavitating flows.
Details
Keywords
An Yu, Xianwu Luo, Dandan Yang and Jiajian Zhou
This paper aims to gain a clear understanding of the ventilated cavity evolution around an NACA0015 hydrofoil by using both experimental and numerical investigation.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to gain a clear understanding of the ventilated cavity evolution around an NACA0015 hydrofoil by using both experimental and numerical investigation.
Design/methodology/approach
The bubble evolution around an NACA0015 hydrofoil with or without air injection was observed in a water tunnel, and the simulation was conducted using a modified turbulence model and homogeneous cavitation model.
Findings
The present simulation method can successfully predict the bubble evolutions around the NACA0015 hydrofoil with or without air injection. Air injection can alleviate the nature cavitation oscillation, and the suppression effect on nature cavitation depends on the air-entrant coefficient. It is confirmed that the air and vapor cavity have the same shedding frequency. It is seen that the air sheet closely attaches to the hydrofoil surface and is surrounded by the vapor sheet. Thus, the injected air promotes vapor growth and results in an increase in the cavity shedding frequency. Further, with a large air-entrant coefficient, the pressure fluctuation is suppressed completely.
Originality/value
The new simulation method is adopted to explore the mechanism of ventilated cavitation. The bubble evolutions with and without air injection have been comprehensively studied by experimental and numerical investigation. The effects of air injection on natural cavity oscillations and pressure fluctuations have been revealed in the present study.
Details
Keywords
Emad Hasani Malekshah, Wlodzimierz Wróblewski, Krzysztof Bochon and Mirosław Majkut
This paper aims to focus on the cavitating flow around the Clark-Y hydrofoil when the dissolved air is taken into account as the third phase. As the RNG k-epsilon model yields…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to focus on the cavitating flow around the Clark-Y hydrofoil when the dissolved air is taken into account as the third phase. As the RNG k-epsilon model yields poor prediction due to overestimation of viscosity, the modification approaches including density corrected method, filter-based model and filter-based density correction model are used, and the turbulence model is modified. Also, the numerical results are compared with the experimental data.
Design/methodology/approach
The cavitating flow is known as a complex multi-phase flow and appeared in the regions where the local pressure drops under saturation vapor pressure. Many researches have been conducted to analyze this phenomenon because of its significant impact on the erosion, vibration, noise, efficiency of turbomachines, etc.
Findings
The experiments are conducted in a rectangular test section equipped with Clark-Y hydrofoil providing cavity visualization, instantaneous pressure and vibration fluctuations. The simulations are carried out for different cavitation numbers with and without dissolved air. The Fast Fourier Transform, continues wavelet transform and temporal-spatial distribution of gray level are implemented to extract and compare the shedding frequency of experiments and numerical predictions and cavitation evolution. It is concluded that the flow structure, shedding frequency and time-averaged characteristics are highly influenced by the dissolved air. Also, the numerical prediction will be more satisfactory when the modified turbulence models are applied.
Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the originality of this study is the modification of the turbulence model for better prediction of cavitating flow, and the validation of numerical results with corresponding experimental data.
Details
Keywords
Yu Zhao, Guoyu Wang and Biao Huang
The purpose of this paper is to assess the predictive capability of the streamline curvature correction model (CCM) and investigate the unsteady vortex behavior of the cloud…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to assess the predictive capability of the streamline curvature correction model (CCM) and investigate the unsteady vortex behavior of the cloud cavitating flows around a hydrofoil.
Design/methodology/approach
The design of the paper is based on introducing the curvature correction method to the original k-ε model. Calculations of unsteady cloud cavitating flows around a Clark-Y hydrofoil are performed using both the CCM and the baseline model.
Findings
Compared with the baseline model, better agreements are observed between the predictions of the CCM model and experimental data, especially the cavity shedding process. Based on the computations, it is demonstrated that streamline curvature correction of the CCM model can effectively decrease predicted turbulence kinetic energy and eddy viscosity in cavity shedding region. This leads to the better prediction for the recirculation zone located downstream of the attached cavity, and dynamics of this recirculation zone contribute to the formation and development of the re-entrant jet.
Originality/value
The authors apply streamline curvature correction to the calculations of unsteady cloud cavitating flows and discuss the interactions between the cavitation unsteadiness and vortex structures to get an insight of the correction mechanics.
Details
Keywords
Włodzimierz Wróblewski, Krzysztof Bochon, Mirosław Majkut, Krzysztof Rusin and Emad Hasani Malekshah
The presence of air in the water flow over the hydrofoil is investigated. The examined hydrofoil is ClarkY 11.7% with an angle of attack of 8 deg. The flow simulations are…
Abstract
Purpose
The presence of air in the water flow over the hydrofoil is investigated. The examined hydrofoil is ClarkY 11.7% with an angle of attack of 8 deg. The flow simulations are performed with the assumption of different models. The Singhal cavitation model and the models which resolve the non-condensable gas including 2phases and 3phases are implemented in the numerical model. The calculations are performed with the uRANS model with assumption of the constant temperature of the mixture. The two-phase flow is simulated with a mixture model. The dynamics and structures of cavities are compared with literature data and experimental results.
Design/methodology/approach
The cavitation regime can be observed in some working conditions of turbomachines. The phase transition, which appears on the blades, is the source of high dynamic forces, noise and also can lead to the intensive erosion of the blade surfaces. The need to control this process and to prevent or reduce the undesirable effects can be fulfilled by the application of non-condensable gases to the liquid.
Findings
The results show that the Singhal cavitation model predicts the cavity structure and related characteristics differently with 2phases and 3phases models at low cavitation number where the cavitating flow is highly dynamic. On the other hand, the impact of dissolved air on the cloud structure and dynamic characteristic of cavitating flow is gently observable.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper is the evaluation of different numerical cavitation models for the prediction of dynamic characteristics of cavitating flow in the presence of air.
Details
Keywords
Jian Wang, Yong Wang, Houlin Liu, Haoqin Huang and Linglin Jiang
The purpose of this paper is to study the unsteady caivitating flows in centrifugal pump, especially for improving the turbulence model to obtain highly resolution results-capable…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the unsteady caivitating flows in centrifugal pump, especially for improving the turbulence model to obtain highly resolution results-capable of predicting the cavitation inception, shedding off and collapse procedures.
Design/methodology/approach
Both numerical simulations and experimental visualizations were performed in the present paper. An improved RCD turbulence models was proposed by considering three corrected methods: the rotating corrected method, the compressible corrected method and the turbulent viscosity corrected method. Unsteady RANS computations were conducted to compare with the experiments.
Findings
The comparison of pump cavitation performance showed that the RCD turbulence model obtained better performance both in non-cavitation and cavitation conditions. The visualization of the cavitation evolution was recorded to validate the unsteady simulations. Good agreement was noticed between calculations and visualizations. It is indicated the RCD model can successfully capture the bubbles detachment and collapse at the rear of the cavity region, since it effectively reduces the eddy viscosity in the multiphase region of liquid and vapor. Furthermore, the eddy viscosity, the instantaneous pressure and density distribution were investigated. The effectiveness of the compressibility was found. Meanwhile, the influence of the rotating corrected method on prediction was explored. It is found that the RCD model solved more unsteady flow characteristics.
Originality/value
The current work presented a turbulence model which was much more suitable for predicting the cavitating flow in centrifugal pump.
Details
Keywords
The purpose of this paper is to use the NACA 0015 symmetric hydrofoil as the research subject and control cloud cavitation on hydrofoils.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to use the NACA 0015 symmetric hydrofoil as the research subject and control cloud cavitation on hydrofoils.
Design/methodology/approach
Based on observed distribution of caudal fin spines on fish, a bionic structure of fin-like spines is arranged on the hydrofoil suction surface, which maintains the cavitation in a quasi-steady state stage by eliminating the cyclic shedding process of cloud cavitation. Based on the modified shear stress transport k-ω turbulence model and the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model, this paper compares and analyzes the NACA 0015 hydrofoil and the bionic NACA 0015 hydrofoil under condition of an angle of attack of 8° and a cavitation number of 0.8.
Findings
The results show that the average drag of the hydrofoil is reduced but the lift is decreased, and the lift-drag ratio is increased after arranging the bionic structure. The bionic structure can effectively reduce the turbulent kinetic energy and make the flow more stable; it also can effectively control the hydrofoil surface side-entrant jet and the vortex shedding process of the near wall region.
Originality/value
Based on the above conclusions, the bionic structure of fin-like spines can achieve a significant passive control in the hydrofoil cloud cavitation process.
Details
Keywords
Cheng Liu, Wei Wei, Qingdong Yan, Brian K. Weaver and Houston G. Wood
The purpose of this paper is to study the transient cavitation process in torque converters with a particular focus on cavitation suppression with a passive flow control technique.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study the transient cavitation process in torque converters with a particular focus on cavitation suppression with a passive flow control technique.
Design/methodology/approach
The transient fluid field in a torque converter was simulated by RANS-based computational fluid dynamics (CFD) in a full three-dimensional (3D) model. A homogeneous Rayleigh–Plesset cavitation model was used to simulate the transient cavitation process and the results were validated with test data. Various secondary flow passages (SFP) were applied to the stator blade. The cavitation behavior and hydrodynamic performance were simulated and compared to investigate the effect of SFP geometries on cavitation suppression.
Findings
Presented results show that cavitation in the torque converter is highly unstable at stall operating condition because of the combination of a high incidence angle and high flow velocity. The addition of an SFP to the stator blade produces a disruption of the re-entrant jet and reduces the overall degree of cavitation, consequently inhibiting the unstable cavitation and reducing performance degradation.
Originality/value
This paper provides unique insights into the complicated transient cavitation flow patterns found in torque converters and introduces effective passive flow control techniques useful to researchers and engineers in the areas of fluid dynamics and turbomachinery.
Details
Keywords
Lei Tan, Baoshan Zhu, Yuchuan Wang, Shuliang CAO and Shaobo Gui
– The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the detailed flow field and cavitation effect in the centrifugal pump volute at partial load condition.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to elucidate the detailed flow field and cavitation effect in the centrifugal pump volute at partial load condition.
Design/methodology/approach
Unsteady flows in a centrifugal pump volute at non-cavitation and cavitation conditions are investigated by using a computation fluid dynamics framework combining the re-normalization group k-e turbulence model and the mass transport cavitation model.
Findings
The flow field in pump volute is very complicated at part load condition with large pressure gradient and intensive vortex movement. Under cavitation conditions, the dominant frequency for most of the monitoring points in volute transit from the blade passing frequency to a lower frequency. Generally, the maximum amplitudes of pressure fluctuations in volute at serious cavitation condition is twice than that at non-cavitation condition because of the violent disturbances caused by cavitation shedding and explosion.
Originality/value
The detailed flow field and cavitation effect in the centrifugal pump volute at partial load condition are revealed and analysed.
Details