Numerical and experimental investigation of the cavitating flow within Venturi tube

Abstract

International audienceHydrodynamic cavitation represents complex physical phenomenon undesirably affecting operation as well as lifespan of many hydraulic machines from small valves to the large hydro power plants. On the other hand, the same phenomenon and its concomitants such as pressure pulsations can be exploited in many positive ways. One of them which seems to be very promising and perspective is the cavitation utilization for reduction of the microorganisms such as cyanobacteria within large bulks of water. Mutual effect of the swirl induced by the upstream mounted generator and flow constriction in converging-diverging nozzle has been experimentally investigated. The main scope of this paper is numerical investigation complementing the experimental results. The multiphase simulations were carried out using the OpenFoam 1606+ and its interPhaseChangeFoam solver. The present study focuses on CFD results of the cavitating velocity field within the nozzle and analysis of the loss coefficient within the nozzle