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H2020Doctoral network2015–2018

CaFE · Development and experimental validation of computational models for cavitating flows, surface erosion damage and material loss

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2015-01-01 → 2018-12-31
EU contribution
€3,939,999
Participants
14
Scheme
MSCA-ITN-ETN

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

Development and experimental validation of computational models for cavitating flows, surface erosion damage and material loss

The CaFE ITN network has developed novel state-of-the-art computational model for cavitation erosion, validated against new and unique experimental data. These models have included aspects of bubble dynamics, real-fluid thermodynamics, advanced numerical methods and material sciences, which have been linked to methodologies for industrial flow problems. The work has been completed according to the Grant Agreement, fully respecting the overall project aim. The scientific outcomes of CaFE have been published in numerous peer-reviewed and highly esteemed journal papers and 34 conference proceedings. In addition to the conducted research, the CaFE network has trained the ESRs on a range of unique scientific modules, that have broadened their perspectives in both research and classical engineering skills. Equally important, ESRs have been trained on a range of transferable skills. Last but not least, the ESRs have been engaged in a total of 23 outreach activities, disseminating their work to relevant non-specialised communities that made the EU funding and the impact of the performed research visible to the general public. CaFE has successfully addressed the following scientific objectives: 1. Developed models suitable for simulating bubble collapse processes, including real-fluid thermodynamics and tackling their interaction with solid surfaces, thus allowing prediction of the induced erosion/material loss. 2. Performed and provided new and unique experimental data in a range of geometries and using a variety of techniques. 3. Developed cavitation erosion indicators that have been implemented in both existing and newly developed LES and URANS numerical codes. 4. Developed new and applied the above models to cases of interest to the industrial beneficiaries and partners. In addition, the CaFE team developed a training programme for the ESRs, which covered: (a) specialised training courses offered by the participating institutions; (b) network-wide training activities in the format of seminar, workshop, conference and summer school; (c) knowledge exchange with the members of the network through activities such as secondments and open events.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Cavitation, described as the formation of vapour/gas bubbles of a flowing liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapour pressure, often leads to vibration and damage of mechanical components, for example, bearings, fuel injectors, valves, propellers and rudders, impellers, pumps and hydro turbines. Cavitation erosion when experienced, normally leads to significant additional repair and maintenance costs or component replacement. Even if erosion problems can be avoided by design or operation, most often the performance of the systems is sub-optimal because countermeasures by design are needed to prevent cavitation problems. Despite the long-lasting problems associated with cavitation, computational models that could simulate cavitation and identify locations of erosion are still not thoroughly developed. The proposed interdisciplinary training and research programme aims to provide new experimental data and an open-source simulation tool for hydrodynamic cavitation and induced erosion. Insight into the detailed bubble collapse mechanism leading to surface erosion will be realised through DNS simulations, which are now feasible by the significant progress in fluid flow computational methods and parallel simulations. Information from such models will be implemented as sub-grid scale models of URANS and LES approaches, typically employed for cavitation simulation at engineering scales. Model validation will be performed against new advanced X-ray, laser diagnostics and high speed imaging measurements to be performed as part of this project. Application of the developed models to cases of industrial interest includes fuel injectors, marine propellers, hydro-turbines, pumps and mechanical heart valves. From this understanding the development of methodologies for design of cavitation-free or remedial measures and operation of devices suffering from cavitation erosion can then be established for the benefit of the relevant communities.

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

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Data: CORDIS, © European Union