Influence of Maximum Airfoil Camber Position on Hydrofoil Cavitation Performance

Abstract This study’s primary goal is to investigate how various airfoils’ maximum camber positions affect hydrofoil cavitation performance. Through numerical simulation, the cavitation low properties of hydrofoils with various maximum camber positions are compared. The accuracy of the modi ied turbulence viscosity and SST k-ω turbulence model on the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of cavitation near the hydrofoil is evaluated by combining it with the model test. Analysis is done on the cavitation low ield of four airfoils at two distinct design angles of attack (+4° and +6°) with varying maximum camber locations (fmax = 35%C, 40%C, 50%C, and 60%C). The indings indicate that at 35%C, the hydrofoil’s maximum camber position has improved cavitation performance. The hydrofoil’s cloud cavitation evolution time is shorter than that of the original hydrofoil, and during the same time period, more cavitation is generated. The lift-to-drag ratio and lift coef icient of the cavitation low ield are signi icantly improved at both angles of attack. At the same time, the vorticity distribution and entropy generation distribution can be effectively reduced under the design angle of attack and high angle of attack cavitation, and the hydraulic loss in the cavitation low ield can be reduced. This research can serve as a guide for optimizing the hydrofoil’s cavitation performance and designing the impeller of the axial low pump that follows.