ABSTRACT This study systematically investigates the cavitation characteristics of a novel sleeve‐shaft counterrotating (SSCR) hydrodynamic cavitation reactor using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Based on the RANS framework combined with the SST k – ω turbulence model and the Zwart–Gerber–Belamri cavitation model, the temporal–spatial evolution of cavitation and its response to key operating and geometric parameters are analyzed. The results show that the cavitation process follows a strict 72° periodicity, with the monitored static pressure dropping to approximately −97.8 kPa and the vapor volume fraction reaching about 0.996. Cavitation distribution is significantly influenced by outlet effects, forming a distinct low‐cavitation zone upstream of the outlet. Parametric studies reveal clear optimal design ranges. A blade width of 9 mm yields the highest cavitation rate of 0.833. For rotor clearance, the range of 5–6 mm provides optimal performance, with cavitation rates exceeding 0.820. Compared with existing dual‐rotor hydrodynamic cavitation reactors, this design improves the cavitation rate by over 10 times. This work elucidates the spatiotemporal evolution of cavitation and the governing mechanisms of key parameters in the SSCR hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. The findings offer a theoretical basis for the structural design and performance optimization of cavitation reactors.
Guan et al. (Sun,) studied this question.