Mass transfer cavitation model with variable density of nuclei

Paper in proceeding, 2010

The performance of the mass transfer cavitation model of Sauer is investigated using a varying nuclei concentration. The Sauer model assumes a uniform nuclei distribution despite measurement of the non-homogeneous nucleus population. Here the nuclei density is studied and a non-homogeneous nuclei distribution in a modified Sauer model is implemented. It is used to study how the increased cavitation nuclei density in regions of low pressure affects the inception of cavitation. The interface between the water and the water vapor is tracked using a volume of fluid method and vaporization and condensation are described by the modified Sauer¿s mass transfer model. The nuclei in the liquid phase are modeled with a Lagrangian Particle Tracking method. The LPT computations yield to a non uniform nuclei distribution which consists of nuclei accumulation close to the leading edge and no nuclei on average in the boundary layer of the hydrofoil. The sensitivity of the modified Sauer model to nuclei distribution is proven. The shape of the sheet cavity and the volume of vapour are affected by the nuclei content.