Numerical Predictions of Cavitating Flow around Model Scale Propellers by CFD and Advanced Model Calibration

The numerical predictions of the cavitating flow around two model scale propellers in uniform inflow are presented and discussed. The simulations are carried out using a commercial CFD solver. The homogeneous model is used and the influence of three widespread mass transfer models, on the accuracy of the numerical predictions, is evaluated. The mass transfer models in question share the common feature of employing empirical coefficients to adjust mass transfer rate from water to vapour and back, which can affect the stability and accuracy of the predictions. Thus, for a fair and congruent comparison, the empirical coefficients of the different mass transfer models are first properly calibrated using an optimization strategy. The numerical results obtained, with the three different calibrated mass transfer models, are very similar to each other for two selected model scale propellers. Nevertheless, a tendency to overestimate the cavity extension is observed, and consequently the thrust, in the most severe operational conditions, is not properly predicted

Decoupled CFD-based optimization of efficiency and cavitation performance of a double-suction pump

In this study the impeller geometry of a double-suction pump ensuring the best performances in terms of hydraulic efficiency and reluctance of cavitation is determined using an optimization strategy , which was driven by means of the modeFRONTIER optimization platform. The different impeller shapes (designs) are modified according to the optimization parameters and tested with a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software, namely ANSYS CFX. The simulations are performed using a decoupled approach, where only the impeller domain region is numerically investigated for computational convenience. The flow losses in the volute are estimated on the base of the velocity distribution at the impeller outlet. The best designs are then validated considering the computationally more expensive full geometry CFD model. The overall results show that the proposed approach is suitable for quick impeller shape optimization

Influence of the Mass Transfer Model on the Numerical Prediction of the Cavitating Flow Around a Marine Propeller

ABSTRACT Cavitating flows, which can occur in a variety of practical applications, can be modelled using a wide range of methods. One strategy consists of using the RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes) approach along with an additional transport equation for the liquid volume fraction, where mass transfer rate due to cavitation is modelled by a mass transfer model. In this study, we verify the influence of three widespread mass transfer models, mainly on the numerical predictions of the propeller performances. The models in question share the common feature of employing some empirical coefficients to tune the models of condensation and evaporation processes, which can influence the accuracy and stability of the numerical predictions. For this reason, and for a fair and congruent comparison, the empirical coefficients of the different mass transfer models are first equally well tuned using an optimization strategy. The numerical predictions of the propeller performances based on the three different well-tuned mass transfer models are very close to each other. Unfortunately, the numerical cavitation patterns are slightly overestimated compared to the experimental ones, and the thrust breakdown is not properly predicted either. Finally, we roughly verify that for the prediction of the model scale propulsive performances in the presence of the partial and tip vortex cavitation, the turbulence model, among those considered in this study, plays a minor role

Numerical investigation of the flow in axial water turbines and marine propellers with scale-resolving simulations

The accurate prediction of the performances of axial water turbines and naval propellers is a challenging task, of great practical relevance. In this paper a numerical prediction strategy, based on the combination of a trusted CFD solver and a calibrated mass transfer model, is applied to the turbulent flow in axial turbines and around a model scale naval propeller, under non-cavitating and cavitating conditions. Some selected results for axial water turbines and a marine propeller, and in particular the advantages, in terms of accuracy and fidelity, of ScaleResolving Simulations (SRS), like SAS (Scale Adaptive Simulation) and Zonal-LES (ZLES) compared to standard RANS approaches, are presented. Efficiency prediction for a Kaplan and a bulb turbine was significantly improved by use of the SAS SST model in combination with the ZLES in the draft tube. Size of cavitation cavity and sigma break curve for Kaplan turbine were successfully predicted with SAS model in combination with robust high resolution scheme, while for mass transfer the Zwart model with calibrated constants were used. The results obtained for a marine propeller in non-uniform inflow, under cavitating conditions, compare well with available experimental measurements, and proved that a mass transfer model, previously calibrated for RANS (Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes), can be successfully applied also within the SRS approaches

Numerical study on the influence of porous baffle interface and mesh typology on the silencer flow analysis

The study of the internal component geometries (i.e. perforated elements) is relevant for the acoustic performance optimisation of a silencer. During the design phase, the evaluation of the properties of a silencer is performed by numerical analysis. In the literature, there is a lack of general guidelines and comparisons among different modelling strategies. So, in this study, the influence of grid type (i.e. trimmed vs tetrahedral) on the numerical prediction of the flow inside a reactive silencer is analysed. Moreover, using a porous baffle interface to model the perforated pipe is investigated, searching for a faster and easier way to model perforated elements. The simulations are carried out with the commercial CFD software STAR-CCM+. The comparison of the obtained axial velocity with a literature case study assesses the numerical model reliability. The analysis highlights that velocity and pressure predicted with both the mesh typologies does not significantly differ, but the trimmed mesh allows to save cells number, reducing the computational cost. Instead, obtain a reliable flow description using the porous baffle interface is strictly correlated to the settings of the resistance coefficient. This assumption does not provide accurate results for the analysed perforated pipe. On the other hand, using a simplified model allows to easily perform a comparison between different muffler geometries, as the holes have not to be drowned and meshed after each modification

Comparison of Hexa-Structured and Hybrid-Unstructured Meshing Approaches for Numerical Prediction of the Flow Around Marine Propellers

In this paper we present a comparison between hexa-structured and hybrid-unstructured meshing approaches for the numerical prediction of the flow around marine propellers working in homogeneous flow (Open Water Conditions). The objective was to verify if the accuracy of the predictions based on structured meshes is significantly better than predictions based on hybrid meshes to justify the more difficult and time-consuming meshing strategy. The study was performed on two five-bladed propellers in model scale. Simulations were carried out with a commercial RANS solver, using a moving frame of reference approach and employing the SST (Shear Stress Transport) two equation turbulence model. Computational results from both meshing approaches were compared against experimental data. The thrust and torque coefficients were used as global quantities. Circumferentially averaged velocity components and root-mean square values of the turbulent velocity fluctuations, avaiable for one of the propellers, were used to indagate the local flow field. The computational results of global quantities for both meshing approaches were very close to each other and in line with experimental data. Also the local values of the flow were in line with the experimental data, exept for turbulent velocity fluctuations wich were underpredicted, especially in the case of the hybrid approach, where higher diffusivity was observed. The overall results suggest that for the prediction of the propulsive performances of marine propellers, at model scale, there are no significant differences, in term of accuracy, between structured and hybrid meshes but for a detailed study of the flow, the structured mesh seems to offer a better resolution

Numerical Predictions of Cavitating Flow Around a Marine Propeller and Kaplan Turbine Runner with Calibrated Cavitation Models

Cavitating phenomena, which may occur in many industrial systems, can be modelled using several approaches. In this study a homogeneous multiphase model, used in combination with three previously calibrated mass transfer models, is evaluated for the numerical prediction of cavitating flow around a marine propeller and a Kaplan turbine runner. The simulations are performed using a commercial computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver and the turbulence effects are modelled using, alternatively, the Reynolds averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) and scale adaptive simulation (SAS) approaches. The numerical results are compared with available experimental data. In the case of the propeller the thrust coefficient and the sketches of cavitation patterns are considered. In the case of the turbine the efficiency and draft tube losses, along with the cavitation pattern sketches, are compared. From the overall results it seems that, for the considered systems, the three different mass transfer models can guarantee similar levels of accuracy for the performance prediction. For a very detailed investigation of the fluid field, slight differences in the predicted shapes of the cavitation patterns can be observed. In addition, in the case of the propeller, the SAS simulation seems to guarantee a more accurate resolution of the cavitating tip vortex flow, while for the turbine, SAS simulations can significantly improve the predictions of the draft tube turbulent flow

Numerical predictions of the turbulent cavitating flow around a marine propeller and an axial turbine

The numerical predictions of cavitating flow around a marine propeller working in non-uniform inflow and an axial turbine are presented. The cavitating flow is modelled using the homogeneous (mixture) model. Time-dependent simulations are performed for the marine propeller case using OpenFOAM. Three calibrated mass transfer models are alternatively used to model the mass transfer rate due to cavitation and the two-equation SST (Shear Stress Transport) turbulence model is employed to close the system of the governing equations. The predictions of the cavitating flow in an axial turbine are carried out with ANSYS-CFX, where only the native mass transfer model with tuned parameters is used. Steady-state simulations are performed in combination with the SST turbulence model, while time-dependent results are obtained with the more advanced SAS (Scale Adaptive Simulation) SST model. The numerical results agree well with the available experimental measurements, and the simulations performed with the three different calibrated mass transfer models are close to each other for the propeller flow. Regarding the axial turbine the effect of the cavitation on the machine efficiency is well reproduced only by the time dependent simulations