Euler-Euler and Euler-Lagrange approaches to cavitation modelling in marine applications

Abstract

Two different approaches to cavitation modelling are investigated in the paper. With the Euler-Euler approach vapour-volume fraction is computed based on a volume of fluid method in combination with a simple mass-transfer model for cavitation. Using an Euler- Lagrange approach, separate equations for bubble size and motion are solved for each of the bubbles/nuclei. Computed bubbles are subsequently mapped to an Eulerian field to obtain vapour-volume fraction of the Eulerian mixture field. Numerical results of a 2D hydrofoil and a propeller flow demonstrate strong parameter dependency for the Euler-Euler approach. Providing the correct (measured) initial bubble distribution, Euler-Lagrange techniques display a fair amount of predictive accuracy as demonstrated for a 2D hydrofoil.