Numerical study on the cavitating flow in liquid hydrogen through elbow pipes with a simplified cavitation model

Cavitation is usually caused by the pressure difference between the static pressure and the saturated vapor pressure under the local temperature and may result in huge damage to the pipelines. This paper developed a simplified cavitation model based on Rayleigh-Plesset bubble equation and Zwart cavitation model, and conducted a series of numerical simulations with the process of phase change and latent heat added to the solver by UDFs (User Defined Functions). The aim of the paper is to study the affecting factors on the cavitation process of liquid hydrogen in elbow pipes. The results show that the thermal effect can suppress the occurrence and development of cavitation. As the process of cavitation goes on, the suppression of thermal effect is more remarkable. Before the cavitating flow reaches its steady state, cavitation process is very sensitive to the changes of inlet velocity and outlet pressure. Increasing the inlet velocity or decreasing the outlet pressure can both strengthen the cavitation process. The turbulent viscosity ratio has little effects on cavitation process of liquid hydrogen, but the increase of turbulent viscosity ratio can enhance the thermal effect and lower the temperature gradient in the cavity. In addition, the structure of the cavity is found to be related to the bend angles. The cavitation process is enhanced with the decrease of the angles since the duration of centrifugal force is longer.