Investigation of the Role of Polymer on the Delay of Tip Vortex Cavitation

Abstract

Cavitation tunnel measurements have shown tip vortex cavitation inception is delayed when polymers are injected from the hydrofoil tip. Experiments with polymers have also shown that the polymers cause the cavitation to become more violent. To better understand the role of polymer in the delay of tip vortex cavitation, a theoretical analysis of tip vortex cavitation inception in pure water and in polymer solution is presented. The analysis shows that while polymer injection causes instability in small bubbles, its main effect is an increase in tip vortex core radius, resulting in the delay of tip vortex cavitation inception.