Effect of Non-Condensable Gas Injection on Cavitation Dynamics of Partial Cavities

Abstract

Partial cavities can undergo auto-oscillation causing large pressure pulsations, unsteady loading of machinery and generate significant noise. In the current experiments fully shedding cavities forming in the separated flow region downstream of a wedge were investigated. The Reynolds number based on hydraulic diameter was of the order of one million. The cavity dynamics were studied with and without injection of non-condensable gas into the cavity. Gas was injected directly into the cavitation region downstream of the wedge's apex, or into the recirculating region at mid cavity so that for the same amount of injected gas less ended up in the shear layer. It was found that relatively miniscule amounts of gas introduced into the shear layer at the cavity interface can reduce vapour production and dampen the auto oscillations, and the same amount of gas injected into the mid cavity would not have the same effect. The authors also examined whether the injected gas can switch the shedding mechanism from one dominated by condensation shock to one dominantly by reentrant jet.