Impact energy evolution and blades cavitation prediction of the liquid-ring vacuum pump under a time-varying shock scenario

High-pressure liquid-ring vacuum pumps (LRVPs) are usually applied in extreme conditions such as submarine vacuum and dust explosions. Meanwhile, the LRVPs are always subjected to nonuniform hydrodynamic loads and time-varying shock, but the impact energy evolution and blade cavitation prediction are not reported. In this regard, the impact energy evolution and blades cavitation prediction of LRVPs are investigated considering a time-varying shock scenario. Specifically, the bubble evolution coupled model based on the Rayleigh–Plesset equation with time-varying shock, and the cavitation prediction model are constructed. Then, the Runge–Kutta–Fehlberg with variable step size is employed to solve the non-dimensional bubble evolution model. Numerical simulation, including energy evolution and blades cavitation prediction, is conducted between the time-varying shock scenario and steady flow field condition. Results validate the feasibility of the proposed coupled model, which may provide a theoretical basis for the design of fluid machinery under extreme conditions.