Effects of Solid Particles at Varying Concentrations on Hydrodynamic Cavitation Evolution in a Nozzle

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of solid particles at varying concentrations on hydrodynamic cavitation within a nozzle in a solid particle-pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow system. Concentrations ranged from 5% to 10%, and mean diameters varied from 0.0015 mm to 0.040 mm. The Zwart-Gerber-Belamri cavitation model, originally developed for pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow, was adapted for the solid particle-pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow scenario. A novel algorithm integrating solid, liquid, and vapor phases was developed to facilitate numerical simulations of this flow. Comparisons were made between the vapor contents in solid particle-pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow under different concentrations and those in pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow to establish variation patterns. Solid particles consistently promoted cavitation evolution across all concentration conditions. However, the range of mean diameter promoting cavitation decreased with increasing concentration. The study analyzed variations in solid particle properties, flow fields, and the forces acting on solid particles to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Solid particles induced a greater number of cavitation nuclei. In the solid particle-pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow, the maximum and minimum slip velocities, as well as the maximum and minimum turbulent kinetic energies, were higher than those in pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow, establishing these factors as primary influencers. Conversely, the Saffman lift force was relatively small, rendering its effects as secondary. The combined effects of these factors contributed to the distinctive evolution of hydrodynamic cavitation within the nozzle.

Keywords

• solid particle-pure water-hydrodynamic cavitation flow
• solid particle concentration
• solid particle mean diameter
• nozzle
• numerical simulation