Numerical analysis of the three-dimensional cloud cavitating flow around a twisted hydrofoil

Abstract

Unsteady sheet cavitation on a three-dimensional twisted hydrofoil was studied using a Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulation technique based on a cell-centered finite volume method. As a verification test of the computational method, the leading edge and mid-chord cavitating flows over a two-dimensional modified NACA66 foil section were simulated for various cavitation numbers and validated against existing experimental data. The cavitation model parameters and numerical schemes were determined by a comparison with the measured pressure distribution. Non-cavitating and cavitating flows around a three-dimensional twisted hydrofoil were simulated with the selected computational method. The computed pressure on the foil and the cavity shedding patterns were validated by comparing these results with existing experimental data. The cavity shedding dynamics due to a re-entrant jet and a side entrant jet were investigated in terms of the cavity shedding cycles. The computed lift force and Strouhal number were compared against existing experimental data.