Numerical study of a laser generated cavitation bubble based on FVM and CLSVOF method

Abstract

Based on the open source software OpenFOAM, the finite volume method (FVM) is applied for discretization of the Navier-Stokes equation. A coupled level set and volume of fluid (CLSVOF) method is established to track the movement of the gas-liquid interface, for improving the accuracy of the simulation of interface curvature and surface tension force. The spherical collapse of a laser generated bubble in water is modeled with the consideration of viscosity, compressibility of both the gas and the liquid, and the surface tension of the liquid. The variations of the bubble radius during collapse predicted by the CLSVOF method are compared with the Gilmore model, the VOF method, which are more consistent with the experimental results. The velocity and the pressure around the bubble are also investigated. And the shock waves emitted by the bubble during the process are illustrated.