Investigation of Cavitation Regimes Using Large Eddy Simulations

Cavitation occurs over different regimes, ranging from inception to massive regions of vapor. We use LES to examine the different regimes of cavitation for i) partial cavitation over a wedge and ii) cavitation over a marine propeller. Cavitation over a wedge is simulated at Re = 200,000 and b=2.47, 1.89 and 1.78 demonstrating respectively the incipient, the transitory and the periodic regimes. Cavitation over a five bladed marine propeller (P4381) is studied at Re = 894,000 and = and 0.6showing respectively the wetted and thrust breakdown conditions. The performance of a homogeneous mixture approach is assessed for capturing wetted conditions over a propeller and small scale vapor regions in the incipient cavitation over a wedge. Also the large regions of vapor resulting in the transitory and the periodic regimes over a wedge and thrust breakdown conditions over a propeller are studied. The flow field obtained using LES in each regime is discussed.