Numerical modeling of cavitation induced water hammer using finite volume method

Abstract A water hammer is a pressure surge caused by the sudden stoppage of a moving liquid, typically due to rapid valve closure or pump shutdown. This abrupt momentum change generates a powerful pressure wave that can damage pipes and reduce component efficiency. If the pressure drops below the liquid vapor pressure, vapor cavities form and collapse under high localized pressure, causing cavitation. In cryogenic fluids, water hammer becomes more complex due to unique thermophysical properties at low temperatures. The thermal suppression effect reduces localized vapor pressure, making cavitation harder and altering pressure wave dynamics compared to non-cryogenic fluids. Understanding and predicting these dynamics are vital for optimizing engineering systems, and numerical modeling aids in this effort. In cryogenic fluids, water hammer becomes more complex due to unique thermophysical properties at low temperatures. The thermal suppression effect reduces localized vapor pressure, making cavitation harder and altering pressure wave dynamics compared to non-cryogenic fluids. Understanding and predicting these dynamics are important for optimizing engineering systems, and numerical modelling is employed to predict and understand this intricate behaviour. The study employs a Finite Volume Method (FVM) to analyze water hammer, starting with water as a baseline due to its well-defined properties and experimental data. The model is then adapted for cryogenic fluids to capture their distinct behavior, validated against available experimental data to ensure accuracy.