Cavity Collapse Research Articles

Three-Dimensional Simulation of Cavitating Flow in Reciprocating Positive Displacement Pumps With Fluid-Actuated Valves

Abstract An in-house compressible three-dimensional (3D) finite volume computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method, with statistical turbulence model and moving grid capabilities, is presented and applied to the suction stroke of a simplex plunger positive displacement pump. The approach utilizes a pressure-based implicit solution algorithm and a mass transfer cavitation model. Fluid-actuated valve dynamics are approximated using a fluid-structure interaction algorithm. The closed valve and early phase of valve opening are approximated by a permeable wall. A circular segment model is introduced, significantly reducing computing time. Experimental validation is performed by time-resolved pressure and flow rate measurements, as well as high-speed visualizations of the valve dynamics. A speed variation is conducted to investigate harmless advanced and erosive distinctive partial cavitation. The simulation reproduces the delay of cavity collapse, observed with increasing speed, and reveals distinctive void patterns related to the chamber pressure time progression. These void patterns are fundamental for understanding the cavitation dynamics and potential erosion risk in the system. Deviations from data remain in the flow phase subsequent to the collapse due to overestimated wave reflection at the inlet boundary in the suction pipe.

Numerical Simulation of the Horizontal Water-Entry Process of High-Speed Vehicles

Based on the RNG k-ε turbulence model and VOF multiphase flow model, a numerical model of horizontal water-entry of the vehicle was established, and the numerical method was verified by experimental results. The cavitation characteristics, fluid resistance, and motion of the vehicle under different conditions were studied during the vehicle’s water-entry process. The results show that the cavitation process can be divided into the cavity development stage, saturation stage, and collapse stage. With the increase in initial velocity and mass of the vehicle, more water vapor will be generated during the water-entry process. The initial velocity of the vehicle had a limited effect on the resistance coefficient. The resistance coefficient in the stable stage remained almost unchanged for vehicles with different masses. Nevertheless, the time interval of the stable stage was shortened, and the resistance coefficient was greater in the gradually increasing stage for the vehicle with a smaller mass. For vehicles with higher initial velocity or smaller mass, the instantaneous velocity decreased faster after it entered the water. The vehicle with a streamlined design was able to reduce the generation of water vapor and decrease fluid resistance and its coefficient, and the vehicle can run farther during the water-entry process.

Formation of vertical columnar seismic structures and seafloor depressions by groundwater discharge in the drowned Miami Terrace platform and overlying deep-water carbonates, southeastern Florida

The presence of vertical cross-formational fluid migration passageways within sedimentary basins can profoundly impact aquifer and reservoir fluid-flow and their identification is fundamental to informing management of subsurface fluid resources (groundwater, oil, gas). In an onshore and offshore southeastern part of Florida, 2D/3D seismic-reflection and bathymetry data document ∼153 vertical columnar structures composed of reflection disruptions up to 790 m in the height and averaging 360 m in diameter, and ∼219 subcircular to circular seafloor depressions up to 1334 m wide. Our study focuses on these features found within the offshore shallow-marine carbonate Miami Terrace platform, which drowned approximately at the end of the middle Miocene, and within overlying Plio-Quaternary deep-water carbonate slope and drift deposits. Most columnar structures are rooted in stratiform aquifers of the Miami Terrace platform and associated with faults or fault intersections produced by Eocene and circa late Miocene tectonics. The columns commonly terminate within the platform or as subcircular depressions along an amalgamated karstic and drowning unconformity at the platform top. The columns typically stretch upwards from a zone of deep karst cavity collapse through the Miami Terrace platform with upward decreasing sag on internal reflections. Following drowning and Plio-Quaternary partial burial of the Miami Terrace platform by deep-water deposits, the subcircular depressions and faults along the platform top were points of origin for a second phase of column growth upward into the deep-water deposits. The continuation of deep platform cavity collapse and column evolution produced pockmarks along paleo-seafloors within the deep-water deposits and at the present-day sea floor. The Plio-Quaternary pockmarks formed at water depths too deep to suggest an origin related to meteoric karst above or near sea level, but rather their formation is suggested to be related to cyclic sea level falls that drove increased groundwater head and density gradients, and seafloor discharge of offshore freshened groundwater sourced from the underlying platform. Plausibly, mixing of freshened groundwater and seawater at the seafloor discharge sites drove dissolution of the host deep-water deposits, which together with erosion by groundwater venting and current scouring formed the pockmarks.Seaward of the Plio-Quaternary seafloor pockmarks, at the late-middle Miocene upper slope of the Miami Terrace platform and along the regional karst/drowning unconformity is a slope-parallel band of ∼189 densely distributed subcircular seafloor depressions with diameters up to 1334 m at water depths up to ∼660 m. It is plausible that along the upper slope, faults and fractures produced by gravity-driven slope instability and possibly tectonics formed a dense network of fluid passageways that promoted upward artesian freshened groundwater flow to sites of discharge where mixing with seawater generated limestone dissolution and the depressions. But tectonic uplift may have forced emersion and initial meteoric sinkhole formation circa late Miocene with later enhancement by freshened groundwater discharge and bottom current erosion.

Hall effects and diamagnetic cavity collapse during a laser plasma cloud expands into a vacuum magnetic field

This paper describes the results of a laboratory experiment on the sub-Alfven expansion of a quasi-spherical laser plasma cloud into a vacuum magnetic field in the regime of nonmagnetized ions. The role of Hall fields and currents in the anomalously fast dynamics of the magnetic field during the collapse phase of a diamagnetic cavity is considered. Detailed spatial measurements of the azimuthal Hall fields configuration are demonstrated and their relationship to diamagnetic cavity collapse is determined. As a result of the experiment, data were obtained confirming the hypothesis about the transfer of the main magnetic field by the movement of electrons associated with Hall currents.

Innovative optimization of parabolic cavitators: Improving hydrodynamic efficiency and supercavity qualitycavitatio

Minimizing drag on the cavitator is essential in hydrodynamic research and for improving the performance of objects used in marine environments. This study focuses on optimizing a parabolic cavitator and analyzing the cavities it generates in detail. First, the key factors for optimizing the cavitator were identified using the Taguchi method. Based on these factors, the three-dimensional shape of the cavitator was numerically simulated, and the hydrodynamic forces acting on it were calculated with consideration of cavitation. The optimized cavitator shape was then identified through further analysis using the Taguchi method and was experimentally tested to confirm its real-world performance. Subsequently, the characteristics of artificial cavitation behind the improved cavitator were examined both experimentally and numerically across various ventilation coefficients. The experiments included high-speed imaging and pressure measurements to capture the dynamics of cavity formation and collapse, while numerical simulations were performed using a k-omega shear stress transport turbulence model and a volume of fluid approach to accurately predict the phase interface. The results highlight the importance of the cavitator's incidence angle and the distance from its nose to its base in the optimization process. Moreover, the analysis shows that pressure fluctuations are significantly more intense at the point where the cavity closes than within the cavity itself. Additionally, the findings indicate that the supercavity characteristics generated by this optimized cavitator are 10% better than those produced by other cavitators, contributing to reduced drag and improved hydrodynamic efficiency.

Experimental investigation on the water-entry characteristics of the structure passing through the broken ice field

In this study, experiments are conducted on the process of a structure entering water under an ice-free environment and a broken ice field environment with three different broken ice densities based on a water-entry experimental platform. The influences of the broken ice field environment and different broken ice densities on the variations in the cavity morphology and movement features of water entry into the structure are investigated. The results show that the broken ice field environment postpones the surface closure of the cavity, leading to an increase in the size of the closed cavity, which, in turn, affects the cavity collapse process, slows down the overall collapse of the cavity, and is conducive to the cavity formation of the structure. In addition, when the density of broken ice is 30%, the influence of the broken ice field on the variations in the cavity morphology is not significant. When the density of broken ice increases to 70%, the expansion, cavity closure, and collapse are significantly different from those in an ice-free environment. Necking and deep closure occur. Some broken ice is drawn into the cavity, accelerating the cavity collapse. The effect of the broken ice field environment on the motion stability of the structure entering the water increases with an increase in broken ice density. When the density of broken ice increases to 50 and 70%, owing to the direct collision between the structure and broken ice, mutual forces and momentum transfer are generated. This results in a horizontal displacement of the trajectory of the structure, a sudden decrease in velocity, and an acceleration of velocity attenuation, ultimately affecting the motion stability and drag reduction characteristics of the structure.

The effect of cavity shape on critical high-temperature regions formation pattern and structural evolution difference in explosive particle bed

The occurrence of critical high-temperature regions within explosives is a crucial factor in initiating combustion and explosion. The primary causes of hot regions in cavity-containing explosives are dissipative processes occurring inside the explosive or at its interface, such as shear, friction, viscosity, plasticity, and heat transfer. Currently, there is limited research on the generation and dissipation mechanisms of critical high-temperature regions in cavity-containing explosives during impacts, based on the mesoscale analysis that describes particle motion. In this study, a model based on the discrete element method is employed allowing for an accurate analysis of the dynamic and thermodynamic processes among particles, which systematically considers the shear history between particles, elastoplastic collisions, and heat transfer between particles. The temporal evolution of particle temperature and dissipated work contours during the impact process of explosives with different cavity shapes is analyzed. Explosives with cavities undergo three stages during the impact process: the formation of the trapezoidal high-temperature region, cavity collapse, and dispersion of the particle bed, ultimately leading to the formation of two main critical high-temperature regions: near the cavity and near the wall. The temperature rise of hot particles near the wall can be roughly divided into two stages, and the temperature rise mechanisms are different. Initially, the temperature rise is primarily attributed to plastic dissipation of hot particles, and the same initial impact velocity results in the same temperature rise. During the cavity collapsing, continuous momentum transfer occurs between the hot particles near the wall and the particles in the high-temperature shear bands, deeply influencing the development of the high-temperature shear bands through the movement of the hot particles near the cavity. Therefore, the different collapse modes of hot particles near cavities of different shapes lead to differences in the later temperature evolution of the hot particles near the wall. The unique aggregation processes of hot particles near cavities of various shapes result in distinct high-temperature region morphologies: circular cavity exhibits approximate “——” shape, triangular cavity displays arch shape, and inverted triangular cavity presents “M” shape. Significantly, a new mechanism resulting from the interaction of two opposing “jet “flows for the formation of higher-temperature hot regions near the circular cavity has been discovered.

Cryo-EM structures of a mycobacterial ABC transporter that mediates rifampicin resistance

Drug-resistant Tuberculosis (TB) is a global public health problem. Resistance to rifampicin, the most effective drug for TB treatment, is a major growing concern. The etiological agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), has a cluster of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters which are responsible for drug resistance through active export. Here, we describe studies characterizing Mtb Rv1217c-1218c as an ABC transporter that can mediate mycobacterial resistance to rifampicin and have determined the cryo-electron microscopy structures of Rv1217c-1218c. The structures show Rv1217c-1218c has a type V exporter fold. In the absence of ATP, Rv1217c-1218c forms a periplasmic gate by two juxtaposed-membrane helices from each transmembrane domain (TMD), while the nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) form a partially closed dimer which is held together by four salt-bridges. Adenylyl-imidodiphosphate (AMPPNP) binding induces a structural change where the NBDs become further closed to each other, which downstream translates to a closed conformation for the TMDs. AMPPNP binding results in the collapse of the outer leaflet cavity and the opening of the periplasmic gate, which was proposed to play a role in substrate export. The rifampicin-bound structure shows a hydrophobic and periplasm-facing cavity is involved in rifampicin binding. Phospholipid molecules are observed in all determined structures and form an integral part of the Rv1217c-1218c transporter system. Our results provide a structural basis for a mycobacterial ABC exporter that mediates rifampicin resistance, which can lead to different insights into combating rifampicin resistance.

Numerical investigation of vehicle water entry with angle of attack

This paper investigates the water entry of a vehicle with angle of attack (AOA) through numerical methods, employing the volume-of-fluid multiphase flow model and overset grid technique. The validity of the numerical model is confirmed through experimental verification. Building upon this, the study analyzes the motion characteristics, cavity evolution, and flow field distribution of the vehicle during water entry, considering the influence of AOA and falling velocity. Numerical findings indicate that the collapse of the right side of the cavity induces a transient lateral force on the vehicle, resulting in vehicle tilting. Moreover, an increase in initial velocity delays vehicle tilt, while an increase in AOA reduces vehicle motion stability, leading to earlier tilting. Initially, the vehicle rotates counterclockwise around the Oz axis of the projectile coordinate system. Subsequent to cavity collapse, the vehicle experiences an opposing moment, leading to a reduction in rotation speed and eventual rotation in the opposite direction. Water impact triggers sudden changes in the vehicle's lift and drag coefficients, while cavity sticking induces a minor abrupt change in the lift coefficient. Following cavity collapse, both lift and drag coefficients exhibit significant oscillations. Unlike typical cavity collapse phenomena, the flow field on the right side of the vehicle undergoes alternating high-pressure and low-pressure regions.

Compound cavity formation and splash crown suppression by water entry through proximally adjacent polystyrene beads

We move forward the important topic of water entry by documenting splash dynamics arising from the impact of hydrophilic spheres with buoyant millimetric microplastics, mimicked in our study by polystyrene beads. Collision with small, buoyant beads is yet another means to manipulate splash dynamics. In this experimental study, we investigate the fluid–structure interactions between beads and hydrophilic spheres for Froude numbers in the range of 20−100. Generally, hydrophilic spheres entering a liquid bath below the critical velocity of 8 m/s produce minimal fluid displacement and no cavity formation. The presence of proximally adjacent beads atop the fluid with respect to impacting spheres promote flow separation and compound cavities for sufficiently large Froude numbers, while suppressing the growth of splash crowns. Compound cavities consist of a shallow, quasi-static first cavity that seals near the water line, and a second, deeper cavity produced in the wake of descending spheres. A vertically protruding Worthington jet follows cavity collapse. The resulting splash metrics differ from those of hydrophobic spheres with respect to the properties of impacted beads. We find impactors traversing a deep liquid pool layered with beads experience drag reduction when compared to entry into a clean pool due to the drag-reducing benefits of flow separation while not offering a high inertial penalty. Our study unravels the physics behind the widely encountered interaction of solid projectiles impacting passively floating particles, and our results translate to the entry dynamics of water-diving creatures and projectiles into water bodies polluted by floating millimetric microplastics.

Data-driven insights into cavitation phenomena: From spatiotemporal features to physical state transitions

The application of data-driven methods to study cavitation flow provides insights into the underlying mechanisms and richer physical details of cavitation phenomena. This paper aims to analyze the physically interpretable multi-state cavitation behavior. Initially, the spatiotemporal features of the cavitation flow are represented as network trajectories using principal component analysis. The k-means++ algorithm is then employed to obtain coarse-grained flow field states, and the centroid of each cluster served as a representative for the attributes of that state. Subsequently, the Markov state model is constructed to capture the dynamic transitions in the cavitation flow field. Through a detailed analysis of the dynamic transition model, the cavitation flow field states with genuine physical mechanisms are refined. Finally, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is utilized to extract the flow patterns corresponding to different states. The distribution characteristics of the flow field modes in different states correspond to their physical properties. These data-driven algorithm enables a detailed analysis of the typical states in periodic cavitation processes, such as cavity growth, development, shedding, and collapse, providing a deeper understanding of the cavitation flow characteristics in different typical states.

Peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thinning in patients with X-linked retinoschisis

AimsTo assess peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) thickness in patients with X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS), as pRNFL thinning may limit functional improvements in gene therapy trials.MethodsThis retrospective multicentre study included...

Analysis of the behavior of structures under the effect of progressive rupture of a cavity

Abstract The ground movements related to the presence of old underground cavities are often damaging to structures and infrastructures. Considering these ground movements in calculations will prevent considerable human loss and material damage. Many areas, both in Algeria and in abroad, are prone to instability caused by ground rupture and the phenomenon of sinkhole progression. The objectives of this work are first to numerically simulate the process of cavity collapse and second to analyze the impact of cavity properties on structure stability. A finite element model was established to analyze the influence of several cavity parameters (dimensions, volume, and spacing). Validation of the model relied on comparing numerical results with experimental data from scientific research, as well as those from analytical approaches. Adequate correlation was achieved. The study allowed deriving mathematical equations relating to several parameters, including cavity dimensions and position in the soil, soil characteristics, and footing width. These results will be considered to reduce the risk of surface structure instability.

Numerical modeling of cavity collapse water hammer in pipeline systems: Internal mechanisms and influential factors of transient flow and secondary pressure rise dynamics

This study explores the dynamics of pressure wave propagation and cavitation in pressurized pipelines during and after the rapid closure of the pipeline's end ball valve, utilizing a three-dimensional computational fluid dynamics approach with the method of characteristics, validated against Bergant and Simpson's experimental data of three degrees of cavitation. It innovatively examines transient pressure dynamics through both energy transformation and wave propagation perspectives, focusing on the phases of water column separation and coalescence, and the dynamics of flow interruption bubbles. The research delves into the detailed mechanisms of pressure wave propagation and further assesses the effects of physical factors. Key findings include: (1) As initial inlet velocities increase, cavitation starts earlier, extends further, and intensifies, with higher final volume fractions near the valve, indicating that higher velocities exacerbate cavitation. Higher inlet velocities also correlate with more intricate and expansive vortex formations. (2) Secondary pressure surges in water hammer result from the superposition of two-stage positive pressure waves. Initially, positive pressure waves within the conduit reflect twice from air pockets and the upstream boundary, remaining positive. Subsequently, they interact with secondary positive pressure waves reflected by the valve, causing a secondary pressure surge. (3) The fluid flow is laterally symmetry in the pipe cross section, except for minor local asymmetrical spikes in areas with vapor bubbles. Velocity discrepancies are notable near the pipe walls due to vapor accumulation, primarily on the upper wall due to buoyancy. This accumulation may narrow the flow area, possibly accelerating the water passing by. (4) Lower flow velocities, downward inclines, and slower valve closures diminish secondary pressure rise amplitudes in water hammer events, while reduced static heads intensify cavitation despite lessening pulse amplitudes. These findings offer valuable insights for the design and operational guidance of complex hydraulic systems during transient processes in urban water supplies.

Abyss Aerosols: Drop Production from Underwater Bubble Collisions.

Over the past century, drops production mechanisms from bubble bursting have been extensively studied. They include the centrifugal fragmentation of liquid ligaments from the bubble cap during film rupture, the flapping of the cap film, and the disintegration of Worthington jets after cavity collapse. We show here that a dominant fraction of previously identified as "surface bubble bursting" submicron drops are, in fact, generated underwater, in the abyss, inside the bubbles themselves before they have reached the surface. Several experimental evidences demonstrate that these drops originate from the flapping instability of the film squeezed between underwater colliding bubbles. This finding, emphasizing the eminent role of bubble-bubble collisions, alters fundamentally our understanding of fine aerosol production and opens a novel perspective for transfers across water-air interfaces.

Water entry of a sphere moving along a circular path at a constant speed

When a marine propeller rotates in partially submerged conditions, air is entrained from above the undisturbed free-surface, which is called the reference surface, and the ventilated air surrounds the propeller blades, causing thrust loss and excessive vibration, all of which seriously damage the durability of the propeller shaft system of a ship. In the present study, the entry of a propeller blade is simplified by the water entry problem of a sphere moving along a circular path at a constant speed. A high-speed camera was employed to capture the rapidly changing flow structures in detail. Above the reference surface, we focused on the free-surface disturbances, including splash and dome formation. Beneath the reference surface, the development and collapse of ventilated cavities, followed by the line-vortex cavity and cavity undulation, were observed. The ventilated cavity of the present study appears to be more elongated than those of the free-falling sphere's water entry experiments. Two parallel vortical structures appeared after the cavity pinch-off, and bubbles were entrained into these structures to form the line-vortex cavity. The sphere's drag was directly measured via the torque meter attached to the sphere's rotating axis. The relation between the measured drag and the flow around the sphere was identified.

Verification and Validation for Large Eddy Simulation of Cavitating Flow Around a Projectile Near the Free Surface

AbstractVerification and validation (V&V) is a helpful tool for evaluating simulation errors, but its application in unsteady cavitating flow remains a challenging issue due to the difficulty in meeting the requirement of an asymptotic range. Hence, a new V&V approach for large eddy simulation (LES) is proposed. This approach offers a viable solution for the error estimation of simulation data that are unable to satisfy the asymptotic range. The simulation errors of cavitating flow around a projectile near the free surface are assessed using the new V&V method. The evident error values are primarily dispersed around the cavity region and free surface. The increasingly intense cavitating flow increases the error magnitudes. In addition, the modeling error magnitudes of the Dynamic Smagorinsky–Lilly model are substantially smaller than that of the Smagorinsky–Lilly model. The present V&V method can capture the decrease in the modeling errors due to model enhancements, further exhibiting its applicability in cavitating flow simulations. Moreover, the monitoring points where the simulation data are beyond the asymptotic range are primarily dispersed near the cavity region, and the number of such points grows as the cavitating flow intensifies. The simulation outcomes also suggest that the re-entrant jet and shedding cavity collapse are the chief sources of vorticity motions, which remarkably affect the simulation accuracy. The results of this study provide a valuable reference for V&V research.

Collapse of an axisymmetric cavity during slow movements of a cylinder in a liquid after a separation impact

Collapse of an axisymmetric cavity during slow movements of a cylinder in a liquid after a separation impact

Kelvin-Helmholtz instability as one of the key features for fast and efficient emulsification by hydrodynamic cavitation

The paper investigates the oil–water emulsification process inside a micro-venturi channel. More specifically, the possible influence of Kelvin-Helmholtz instability on the emulsification process. High-speed visualizations were conducted inside a square venturi constriction with throat dimensions of 450 µm by 450 µm, both under visible light and X-Rays. We show that cavity shedding caused by the instability results in the formation of several cavity vortices. Their rotation causes the deformation of the oil stream into a distinct wave-like shape, combined with fragmentation into larger drops due to cavitation bubble collapse. Later on, the cavity collapse further disperses the larger drops into a finer emulsion. Thus, it turns out that the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability is similarly characteristic for hydrodynamic cavitation emulsification inside a microchannel as is the Rayleigh-Taylor instability for acoustically driven emulsion formation.

Eulerian–Lagrangian multiscale numerical analysis of multimodal partial shedding dynamics

The objective of this paper is to investigate the multimodal partial shedding dynamics from a multiscale perspective of cloud cavitating flows under two distinct cavity shedding mechanisms, namely the re-entrant jet mechanism and the shock wave propagation mechanism. A two-way Eulerian–Lagrangian coupling algorithm is applied to capture the multiscale vapor topologies from microbubble to large-scale cavities. The large-scale cavity evolution is solved through large eddy simulations (LES) with the volume of fraction (VOF) method in Eulerian frame. The sub-grid microbubbles are tracked in Lagrangian frame based on the discrete bubble model (DBM) method. The predictions agree well with experimental observation of the periodical cavity evolution and microbubble dynamics under both the re-entrant jet mechanism and shock wave mechanism around a NACA66 hydrofoil. The numerical simulation provides detailed analysis of the cavitating turbulent flow on the microbubble behavior with emphasis on the spatial-temporal distribution characteristics of microbubbles. The results show that the number and mean size of microbubbles in the cavitation region increase gradually with the growth of attached sheet cavity, development of re-entrant jet and collapse of largescale cavity for both cavitation patterns. Meanwhile, microbubbles are mainly distributed on the largescale interfaces where have high value of vorticity and turbulent kinetic energy under the effect of re-entrant jet and vortex structures. And the probability density functions (PDFs) of microbubble exhibit gamma distributions with a dominant peak at approximately 50 μm for both shedding mechanisms. However, the shock wave formation and propagation process only occurs in the final stage of cavitating flow under shock wave mechanism causing the condensation of vapor and the decrease of the number and mean size of microbubbles. Moreover, the microbubbles are uniformly distributed along the streamwise and vertical directions behind shock wave front.