Simulation study on passive cavitation suppression for a typical hydrofoil

Abstract

A passive cavitation suppression structure with flow barriers on its surface was proposed for a typical hydrofoil (NACA66 MOD). Based on the homogeneous equilibrium model and the Zwart-Gerber-Belamri cavitation model, the cavitation characteristics around the hydrofoil before and after flow barriers on hydrofoil surface at a typical operating condition are simulation investigated. Results show that the flow barriers provide on hydrofoil surface are capable of regulating and controlling the cavitation flow field, suppressing 47.1 percent of cavitation flow. By coupling the distribution of cavitation shape, re-entrant jet and pressure field of the hydrofoil with fluid flowing around, and analysing the periodic change of flow field, it is found that to a certain extent, the flow barrier provided on hydrofoil suction surface inhibited the development and shedding of cavitation.