Numerical modeling and experimental investigation of a two-phase sink vortex and its fluid-solid vibration characteristics

A sink vortex is a common physical phenomenon in continuous casting, chemical extraction, water conservancy, and other industrial processes, and often causes damage and loss in production. Therefore, the real-time monitoring of the sink vortex state is important for improving industrial production efficiency. However, its suction-extraction phenomenon and shock vibration characteristics in the course of its formation are complex mechanical dynamic factors for flow field state monitoring. To address this issue, we set up a multi-physics model using the level set method (LSM) for a free sink vortex to study the two-phase interaction mechanism. Then, a fluid-solid coupling dynamic model was deduced to investigate the shock vibration characteristics and reveal the transition mechanism of the critical flow state. The numerical results show that the coupling energy shock induces a pressure oscillation phenomenon, which appears to be a transient enhancement of vibration at the vortex penetration state. The central part of the transient enhancement signal is a high-frequency signal. Based on the dynamic coupling model, an experimental observation platform was established to verify the accuracy of the numerical results. The water-model experiment results were accordant with the numerical results. The above results provide a reference for fluid state recognition and active vortex control for industrial monitoring systems, such as those in aerospace pipe transport, hydropower generation, and microfluidic devices.