Improvement of Bubble Model for Cavitating Flow Simulations

In the present research, a bubble dynamics based model for cavitating flow simulations is extended to higher void fraction region for wider range of applications. The present bubble model is based on the so-called Rayleigh-Plesset equation that calculates a temporal bubble radius with the surrounding liquid pressure and is considered to be valid in an area below a certain void fraction. The solution algorithm is modified so that the Rayleigh-Plesset equation is no more solved once the bubble radius (or void fraction) reaches at a certain value till the liquid pressure recovers above the vapor pressure in order to overcome this problem. This procedure is expected to stabilize the numerical calculation. The results of simple two-dimensional flow field are presented compared with the existing bubble model.