Thermal effects in cavitating flows

The effects of temperature on hydrodynamic cavitation in water is investigated. Temperature is varied between 20\textdegree C and 85\textdegree C in a cavitating flow generated in a small-scale venturi type section of 1 mm characteristic dimension. The effects of the temperature on the large-scale periodical cloud shedding is investigated, as well as the evolution of the flow structure and dynamics. The measurements are based on high speed visualizations and 2D2C PIV. A competition between two different effects, namely the Reynolds number change and the cavitation delay due to the so-called thermal effect, is observed. A critical temperature in the range 50\textdegree C-60\textdegree C is found and especially investigated.