Computational Fluid Dynamics as good as it gets.

E. Lauer, X.Y. Hu, S. Hickel, N.A. Adams (2012) 
Computers and Fluids 69: 1-19. doi: 10.1016/j.compfluid.2012.07.020

In this paper, we investigate the high-speed dynamics of symmetric and asymmetric cavitation bubble-collapse. For this purpose, a sharp-interface numerical model is employed, that includes a numerically efficient evaporation/condensation model.

The underlying assumption is that phase change occurs in thermal non-equilibrium and that the associated timescale is much larger than that of the wave-dynamics described by the interfacial Riemann problem. The sharp-interface model allows for an accurate tracking of the interface evolution throughout collapse and rebound. With a first set of simulations, we investigate the influence of the non-equilibrium on the relaxation behaviour of an oscillating vapour bubble. We observe that a good prediction of the phase-change rate is essential. Of high practical interest is the collapse of cavitation bubbles near walls under high ambient-pressure conditions. We investigate the differences in collapse evolution for detached and attached bubbles. It is shown that the maximum wall pressure strongly depends on the symmetry of the collapse mechanisms, and regions with a high probability of bubble rebound are identified. Asymmetric attached bubbles lead to significantly different topology changes during collapse than symmetric bubbles but exhibit roughly the same range of maximum pressures.

 

Sketch of liquid jets during vapour bubble collapse near a wall: (a) Wall-normal re-entrant jet, (b) primary wall-normal re-entrant jet (solid) and secondary wall-parallel outward pointing jet (dashed), and (c) wall-parallel inward pointing jet. Arrows indicate the jet direction. Figures are not to scale.

 

Collapse of a vapour bubble in configuration A: (a) Initial configuration, (b) cut through an iso-surface of the zero level-set (interface) at , showing the shape of the bubble and the wall pressure, and (c–j) bubble shape and pressure field at different time instants. All figures except (b) have the same magnification scale.

 

Collapse of a vapour bubble in configuration B: (a) Initial situation, (b) cut through an iso-surface of the zero level-set (interface) showing the shape of the bubble and the wall pressure, and (c–n) bubble shape and pressure field at different time instants. All figures except (b) have the same magnification scale.