Generalized physics-based cavitation model encompassing multiple cavitation regimes

Abstract

Accurate modeling of multiple cavitation regimes and their thermodynamic effects remains a challenge. This study extends the baseline physics-based cavitation model to a generalized form, encompassing the inertial, intermediate, and thermal cavitation regimes including the extreme thermal regime at very low Jakob number. For this purpose, a single bubble growth rate that is valid over a broad range of Jakob number is formulated. The dynamics of intermediate regime is captured by employing local pressure and temperature conditions. Key physical corrections for the bubble growth initiation, time delay, and growth acceleration are taken into account. The proposed cavitation model is then carefully validated and critically assessed with a series of test cases including homogeneous bubble growth over multiple cavitation regimes, cryogenic and isothermal cavitating flows. The bubble growth tests confirm its superior performance, particularly in the intermediate regime, and yield an excellent agreement with the experimental bubble growth curve over the entire bubble growth regime. Other computed results also show accurate capturing of cavitation features and thermal effects, demonstrating its utility in a wide range of operation conditions. Especially, the physical mechanism of multiple bubble pulsations is unveiled by analyzing the contribution of bubble growth rate from each cavitation regime.