Experimental and Numerical Investigations of Cavitating Flows

AIAA-2005-5278 Cavitating flows have been investigated using both numerical and experimental methods. Three different cavitation models, based on mechanical or thermal equilibrium hypotesis, have been implemented in a general-purpose CFD code. As an external flows example, the behavior of a NACA 0015 hydrofoil was investigated. The cavitating flow field over the hydrofoil was predicted, and the results compared with experimental data, reported in literature. The general characteristics of the cavitating flow were well predicted. Especially, the cavity length was calculated with reasonable accuracy. Further, the cavitation models were applied to flows through an orifice, and the computed results were compared with the experimental observations, obtained with a CCD camera. The cavitation originates at the inlet of the flow constriction area. It grows intensively and transforms into a dense cloud. Shedding is observed in this stage. As flow rate was increased, it was observed that the cloud travels downstream of the hole oscillating about the exit position and it is connected to the hole inlet through a sheet having a complex turbulent structures