Numerical Simulation of Cavitation around a Three-Dimensional Hydrofoil Using VOF Method and LES Turbulence Model

Abstract

In this paper simulation of cavitating flow over the three dimensional Clark-Y hydrofoil is reported using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique. We applied an incompressible LES modeling approach based on one equation eddy-viscosity model (OEEVM) for the subgrid scale (SGS) terms. To apply the cavitation model, the flow has been considered as a single fluid, two-phase mixture. A transport equation model for the local volume fraction of vapor is solved with the LES model and a finite rate mass transfer model is used for the vaporization and condensation processes. The volume of fluid (VOF) method is applied to track the interface of liquid and vapor phases. This simulation is performed using a two phase solver available in the framework of the OpenFOAM (open field operation and Manipulation) software package, namely “interPhaseChangeFoam”. The solver is based on the finite volume method. Simulation is performed for the cloud cavitation regime. The results of our simulation are compared with the experimental data and the accuracy of the simulation has been investigated.