Analysis of Thermal Effects in a Cavitating Inducer Using Rayleigh Equation

Abstract

A simple model based on the resolution of Rayleigh equation is used to analyze thermal effects in cavitation. Two different assumptions are considered for the modeling of heat transfer toward the liquid∕vapor interface. One is based upon a convective type approach using a convection heat transfer coefficient or the equivalent Nusselt number. The other one is based upon the resolution of the heat diffusion equation in the liquid surrounding the bubble. This conductive-type approach requires one to specify the eddy thermal diffusivity or the equivalent Peclet number. Both models are applied to a cavitating inducer. The basic pressure distribution on the blades is determined from a potential flow computation in a two-dimensional cascade of flat plates. The sheet cavity, which develops from the leading edge, is approximated by the envelope of a hemispherical bubble traveling on the suction side of the blade. Cavity shape and temperature distribution predicted by both models are compared. The evolutions of cavity length with the cavitation number for cold water (without thermal effects) and for Refrigerant 114 at two different temperatures is compared to experimental data. Such a simple model is easy to apply and appears to be quite pertinent for the analysis of thermal effects in a cavitating inducer.