Experimental Investigation of the Relationship Between Cavitation Acoustic Waves and Erosion Threshold with a Novel Piezoelectric Configuration

An optimal solution for the rapid prediction of cavitation erosion is to identify parameters that can be quickly detected and have a logical and effective correlation with erosion. One of these important parameters is the Sound Pressure Level (SPL) generated by cavitation. In the process of calculating the eroded surface area, a uniform special paint is applied to the sample plate using a film applicator to enhance the visibility of surface erosion. In the designed channel for this study, four bluff bodies are utilized as the best method to accelerate the onset of cavitation. Piezoelectric sensors are employed to record signals generated by cavitation, and for the first time, the optimal arrangement of these sensors has been established using CFD analysis. In this study, the threshold for the eroded surface area can be detected in the shortest possible time using a strategy that identifies the SPL pattern resulting from cavitation. Another advantage of this method is that since the piezoelectric sensors are connected to the area where erosion needs to be examined (or its corresponding region), the relationship obtained between SPL and the eroded surface area is independent of the geometry and dimensions of the water tunnel. Therefore, the established relationship remains valid even with changes in the experimental environment.