A sharp-interface model for grid-resolved cavitating flows

Abstract

A sharp-interface model for cavitating flows is presented in this work. The proposed model can deal with the dynamic evolution of cavitation, and considers both phase change and pre-existing gas expansion mechanisms. The interfaces between the liquid and gas phases are fully sharp, the effects of compressibility (in both phases) and surface tension are considered, and the liquid may withstand certain amounts of tension before breaking down. The formulation is in principle independent of grid discretization. The method is simple to implement, and avoids raising the computational cost as it does not require the solution of additional transport equations. The behaviour of the proposed model is thoroughly assessed through a series of numerical tests. Finally, the developed method is used to predict the nucleation and collapse of a three-dimensional cavitation bubble cloud.