BIMBAMBUM: A potential flow solver for single cavitation bubble dynamics

Abstract

In the absence of analytical solutions for the dynamics of non-spherical cavitation bubbles, we have implemented a numerical simulation solver based on the boundary integral method (BIM) that models the behavior of a single bubble near an interface between two fluids. The density ratio between the two media can be adjusted to represent different types of boundaries, such as a rigid boundary or a free surface. The solver allows not only the computation of the dynamics of the bubble and the fluid-fluid interface, but also, in a secondary processing phase, the computation of the surrounding flow field quantities. We present here the detailed implementation of this solver and validate its capabilities using theoretical solutions, experimental observations, and results from other simulation softwares. This solver is called BIMBAMBUM which stands for Boundary Integral Method for Bubble Analysis and Modeling in Bounded and Unbounded Media. Program summaryProgram Title: BIMBAMBUMCPC Library link to program files:https://doi.org/10.17632/89vv35pmhr.1Licensing provisions: GPLv3Programming language: C++ and PythonNature of problem: The code solves the axisymmetric dynamics of single cavitation bubble in the vicinity of different types of boundaries. The boundaries are treated as an interface between two fluids, where the fluids can have different density ratios. The two fluids are considered inviscid and incompressible and the associated flows irrotational so that Laplace's equation is valid everywhere.Solution method: A boundary integral method is used to calculate the velocities on the discretized bubble surface and the fluid-fluid interface. The position of these boundaries can then be updated in time using a Lagrangian approach. In the fluid domain surrounding the bubble, the velocities and pressure are estimated using a combination of the boundary integral method and finite differences.Additional comments including restrictions and unusual features: The code solves the bubble dynamics as long as its surface remains simply connected.