High Reynolds Number, Unsteady, Multiphase CFD Modeling of Cavitating Flows

Abstract

A preconditioned, homogeneous, multiphase, Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes model with mass transfer is presented. The model is preconditioned in order to obtain good convergence and accuracy regardless of phasic density ratio or flow velocity. Engineering relevant validative unsteady two and three-dimensional results are given. A demonstrative three-dimensional, three-field (liquid, vapor, noncondensable gas) transient is also presented. In modeling axisymmetric cavitators at zero angle-of-attack with 3-D unsteady RANS, significant asymmetric flow features are obtained. In comparison with axisymmetric unsteady RANS, capture of these features leads to improved agreement with experimental data.