Prediction of Impeller Speed Dependence of Cavitation Intensity in Centrifugal Pump Using Cavitating Flow Simulation with Bubble Flow Model

We developed a numerical method of estimating not only cavitation erosion area but also cavitation intensity that depends on the impeller speed of pumps. Our numerical simulation code with a ‘bubble flow model ’ simulates the bubble pressure and the bubble nuclei distribution in a cavitating flow in detail. We simulated impulsive bubble pressure that varied within microseconds in a centrifugal pump. The cavitation intensity was estimated by analyzing the bubble pressure and the bubble nuclei distribution. The erosion area on the impeller blade in our pump test was visualized by using a method involving dye. The plastic deformation rate of an aluminum sheet attached in the erosion area was measured, and the cavitation intensity was estimated using an experimental database. The erosion area and cavitatio