ICCM2014 28-30 Numerical Simulation on Cavitation in a Vane Pump with Moving Mesh

Abstract Cavitation can occur in vane pumps when the local fluid static pressure falls below the vapor pressure at the operating conditions. Cavitation can reduce the flow rate and erode the internal surface of a vane pump. Because direct measurement is difficult to implement, predictive tools based on Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) has become a valid alternative approach to determine the position and size of cavitation in a vane pump. In this study, a purpose-built code has been developed for use with Star-CD to capture the gap shape between the vane and stator with a moving mesh. The internal flow of a vane pump has been simulated with the volume of fluid method, together with Rayleigh cavitation model and RANS-based Mender's SST k turbulence model. The simulation results demonstrate the initiation, development and collapse of cavitation during the rotation of vane, which leads to accumulation or release of the mass of oil, resulting in a reduced or increased area of cavitation respectively. The transient flow rate at the inlet is stable while the outlet flow rate fluctuates significantly. The radiuses of vane tip and gap size are found to influence the size of cavitation and flow rate of the vane pump. The computational model presented here can provide the basis for optimal design of vane pumps