Computational Modeling and Validation of the Schnerr–Sauer Cavitation Model With Thermodynamic Considerations

Abstract This study investigates the thermodynamic effects of cavitation, focusing on pressure and temperature distributions on a 0.5 caliber hydrofoil surface. To highlight the impact of cavitation with thermodynamic effects, a comparison was conducted between predicted values from the extensional Schnerr–Sauer (ESS) model established in this work and published numerical and experimental results. To properly account for thermal effects, the SS model was modified by using the minimum of the inertial growth rate (R˙i) and a newly derived thermal growth rate (R˙t). This modification accounts for the transition from inertially governed to thermally governed bubble growth as the constant superheat supply assumption (psat− p)/ρl breaks down. Incorporating the modified cavitation model and a realizable turbulence model effectively captured pressure and thermal characteristics, including the temperature drop within cavities due to evaporative cooling effects. The pressure and temperature profiles on the hydrofoil surface were compared with the published experimental data and numerical results. The modified model demonstrated satisfactory alignment with the experimental data, and the temperature profiles slightly outperformed those of the previous numerical data. A slight reduction in cavity size due to thermal effects was observed, attributed to temperature drops affecting local vapor pressure and cavitation intensity, leading to a decrease in the liquid volume fraction within cavities.