Numerical study of periodic cavitating flow around NACA0012 hydrofoil

This paper presents a numerical study of periodic cavitating flow around NACA0012 hydrofoil. The cavitation condition is modeled through a bubble dynamics cavitation model. The RNG k–ε   turbulence model with enhanced wall treatment is used to capture turbulent boundary layer along the hydrofoil surface. The periodic formation of vortex near the trailing edge is simulated and jet of re-entrant flow is visualized in this paper. The pressure fluctuation on the foil surface due to the periodic nature of the vorticity dynamics is observed. The lift and drag coefficients oscillate with a time average value of C¯L=0.697 and C¯D=0.012 with the periodic cavity shedding.

► The cavitating flow is very well predicted by k–ε turbulence model and cavitation model.
► The periodic formation of vortex near the trailing edge is simulated and jet of re-entrant flow is visualized.
► The pressure fluctuation on the foil surface due to the periodic nature of the vorticity dynamics is observed.
► The lift and drag coefficient oscillates with the periodic cavity shedding.
► The computed value of the Strouhal number lies within the range predicted by other researchers.