Numerical prediction of tip vortex cavitation behavior and noise considering nuclei size and distribution

Abstract

The tip vortex cavitation behavior and sound generation were numerically analyzed. A numerical scheme combining Eulerian flow field computation and Lagrangian particle trace approach was applied to simulate tip vortex cavitation. Flow field was computed by using hybrid method which combines Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes solver with Dissipation Vortex Model. The trajectory and behavior of each cavitation bubble were computed by Newton's second law and Rayleigh-Plesset equation, respectively. According to nuclei population data, the cavitation nuclei were distributed and convected into the tip vortex flow. Calculated volume of the cavitation bubble and the trajectory were used as the input of cavitation bubble noise analysis. The relationship of cavitation inception, sound pressure level, and cavitation nuclei size was studied at several cavitation numbers. It was found that cavitation inception of smaller nuclei is more sensitive to the change of cavitation number and cavitation noise due to the cavitated smallest nuclei has the most influence on overall tip vortex cavitation noise. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.