24.4.2 Including Cavitation Effects

For mixture model calculations, it is possible to include the effects of cavitation, using ANSYS FLUENT's cavitation models described in this section in the separate Theory Guide.

To enable the Singhal et al. cavitation model, use the solve/set/expert text command and answer yes to use Singhal-et-al cavitation model?. The Singhal-Et-Al Cavitation Model option will now be visible in the Phase Interaction dialog box, under the Mass tab. Enable this option to include the Singhal et al. cavitation model.

You will specify three parameters to be used in the calculation of mass transfer due to cavitation. Set the Vaporization Pressure , the Surface Tension Coefficient , and the Non-Condensable Gas Mass Fraction . The default value of $p_{\rm sat}$ is 3540 Pa, the vaporization pressure for water at ambient temperature. Note that $p_{\rm sat}$ and the surface tension are properties of the liquid, depending mainly on temperature. Non-Condensable Gas Mass Fraction is the mass fraction of dissolved gases, which depends on the purity of the liquid.

When multiple species are included in one or more secondary phases, or the heat transfer due to phase change needs to be taken into account, the mass transfer mechanism must be defined before activating the cavitation model. It may be noted, however, that for cavitation problems, at least two mass transfer mechanisms are defined:

• mass transfer from liquid to vapor.

• mass transfer from vapor to liquid.

To enable and set up the Schnerr-Sauer and Zwart-Gerber-Belamri cavitation models, refer to Section  24.2.8.