Secondary cavitation in a rigid tube

Abstract

The oscillation of a single spark-generated bubble in a rigid tube is studied experimentally, with the help of a high-speed camera and a hydrophone. The non-dimensional collapse position XF is divided into three regimes, according to the various phenomena after the first oscillation period T1. In an asymmetric regime, secondary cavitation is observed. Both the axial position and the oscillation period of the secondary cavitation show a linear correlation with the first bubble. The period ratio k is independent of the relative bubble size L1* but is affected by the tube diameter Dt. In a symmetric regime, the secondary cavitation is much weaker and unrepeatable. The rebound bubble is strengthened in this regime, and the rebound ratio kr is independent of both L1* and Dt. A mechanism of reflected rarefaction wave is proposed to explain the position relation between the first and secondary cavities, and the energy partition in different regimes is discussed.