Numerical simulation on unsteady cavitating flows in a rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactor

Abstract The RNG k - ε turbulence model and mass transport cavitation model Zwart-Gerber-Belamri are used to simulate unsteady cavitating flows in a rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (RHCR). The RHCR is mainly composed of rotor and stator. Unsteady cavitation flow field analyses in RHCR are focused mainly near the rotor surface. The numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data. The frequency of pressure fluctuations and streamline distribution are discussed by setting 10 monitoring points near the rotor surface. The numerical simulation results shows that the main frequency of pressure fluctuation inside RHCR is 24 f r and 72 f r ; the maximum amplitude of pressure fluctuations appears near the inlet, and its value about 3 times than the minimum. Moreover, the streamline distribution analyses demonstrate that the vortex appears near the rotor surface, and is generating, growth and disappearing with time. The shape, vortex center and intensity of the vortex near the inlet change drastically with time. This research provided a reference for the optimization design of RHCR.