Numerical modeling of cavitating flows for simple geometries using FLUENT V6.1
Abstract
Cavitation is a phenomenon that can be present in several agro-forestry applications such as irrigation pressure-reducing valves, sprinkler orifices or even in the flow through xylem vessels inside plants. In the present research, numerical predictions of cavitation in a series of orifices, nozzles and venturis were compared to experimental measurements to show the possibilities and performances of the new cavitation model in the commercial Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) code FLUENT V6.1. A flashing study is also presented for the nozzle case. Model predictions for the orifice cases accurately capture cavitation inception and its influence on the orifice discharge coefficient. However, when an unsteady flow is modeled, the cavitation phenomenon is not simulated properly and leads to a steady situation. In general, the new cavitation model in FLUENT V6.1 provides very reliable simulation for easy geometries when steady flow is assumed.Downloads
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