Numerical Prediction of Cavitation Erosion Risk Based on a New Erosion Indicator

Abstract

Cavitation erosion would degrade the performance of the fluid machinery. To improve the reliability and prolong the life span of fluid machinery, it is necessary to study the mechanism of cavitation erosion and predict the possibility of erosion. Since the erosion power to be measured and calculated is closer to the actual state of cavitation, a new cavitation erosion indicator e_pp model based on erosion power is proposed, which can reflect the size and region of the erosion generated by cavitation more precisely. Concerning the cases of the axisymmetric nozzle and venturi tube, the prediction of cavitation erosion based on the newly proposed indicator is illustrated. It is found that cavitation erosion mainly occurs near the maximum margin of the cavitation region. This research indicates the possible erosion state of fluid machinery in a cavitation environment and provides a new approach to estimate the state of cavitation erosion.