Numerical and experimental study on dynamic characteristics of cavitation bubbles

Purpose Cavitation bubbles cannot be avoided in the hydraulic system. Because of instability of flow and variation of water pressure, the jet often occurs in a bubble collapse. This study aims to accurately predict the shape, velocity and time of the resulting jet, so as to inhibit cavitation erosion. Design/methodology/approach In the study, a theoretical model of cavitation bubbles in the water has been developed by applying a periodic water film pressure into the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. A fourth-order in time Runge–Kutta scheme is used to obtain an accurate computation of the bubble dynamic characteristics. The behavior of the proposed theory is further simulated in a high-speed photography experiment by using a cavitation bubble test rig. The evolution with time of cavitation bubbles is further obtained. Findings A comparison with the available experimental results reveals that the bubble evolution with time has a duration of about 0.3T0, that well predicts the expanding and compressing process of cavitation bubbles. The results also show that the initial bubble radius in the water influences the moving velocity of the bubble wall, whereas the perturbation frequency of the water pressure has less effect on the velocity of the bubble wall. Originality/value A theoretical model well predicts dynamic characteristics of cavitation bubbles. The bubble evolution with time has a duration of about 0.3T0, Initial bubble radius influences the velocity of bubble wall. Perturbation frequency has less effect on the velocity of bubble wall.