The investigation of natural super-cavitation flow behind three-dimensional cavitators: Full cavitation model

In this study, natural super-cavitating flow around three different conical cavitators with wedge angles of 30 degrees, 45 degrees and 60 degrees is investigated. We apply the kappa-epsilon turbulence model and the volume of fluid (VOF) technique to numerically study the three-dimensional cavitating flow around the cavitators. The turbulence approach is coupled with a mass transfer model which is implemented into the finite-volume package. Simulations are performed for different cavitation numbers. Finally, the effects of some important parameters such as the cavitation index, inlet velocity, Froude number and wedge angle of cavitators on the geometrical characteristics of the super-cavities are discussed. Our numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental data. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.