Computational modeling of cavitating flows in liquid nitrogen by an extended transport-based cavitation model

Developing a robust computational strategy to address the rich physical characteristic involved in the thermodynamic effects on the cryogenic cavitation remains a challenge in research. The objective of the present study is to focus on developing modelling strategy to simulate cavitating flows in liquid nitrogen. For this purpose, numerical simulation over a 2D quarter caliber hydrofoil is investigated by calibrating cavitation model parameters and implementing the thermodynamic effects to the Zwart cavitation model. Experimental measurements of pressure and temperature are utilized to validate the extensional Zwart cavitation model. The results show that the cavitation dynamics characteristic under the cryogenic environment are different from that under the isothermal conditions: the cryogenic case yields a substantially shorter cavity around the hydrofoil, and the predicted pressure and temperature inside the cavity are steeper under the cryogenic conditions. Compared with the experimental data, the computational predictions with the modified evaporation and condensation parameters display better results than the default parameters from the room temperature liquids. Based on a wide range of computations and comparisons, the extensional Zwart cavitation model may predict more accurately the quasi-steady cavitation over a hydrofoil in liquid nitrogen by primarily altering the evaporation rate near the leading edge and the condensation rate in the cavity closure region.