Large eddy simulation of tip-leakage cavitating flow using a multiscale cavitation model and investigation on model parameters

Abstract

For understanding tip-leakage cavitating flow features, the present work aims to implement a multiscale model to comprehensively reproduce the complicated phase structure. The volume of fluid (VOF) interface capturing method is applied to simulate macroscale cavities, while a discrete bubble model using the Lagrangian formulation is newly developed to take the microscale bubbles into account. The Schnerr–Sauer cavitation model is incorporated into the VOF model to calculate the mass transfer rate between phases from the macroscale point of view. For microscale bubbles, the simplified Rayleigh–Plesset equation is adopted to simulate the bubble growing and collapsing stages. An algorithm for coupling the approaches simulating macroscale cavities and microscale bubbles is also implemented to achieve multiscale simulation. Unsteady flow features are simulated using the large eddy simulation approach. The results show that an anti-diffusive compression scheme for the spatial discretization of volume fraction equation is relatively accurate for simulating the tip-leakage cavitating flow. Applying the multiscale model, the tip-leakage cavitating flow features with multiple time and space scales including the formation of glass cavity tube and the transport of bubble clouds can be revealed. Suitable model parameters including the coefficient of saturated pressure, and the bubble evaporation and condensation coefficients are studied.