A Navier-Stokes solver based on artificial compressibility and pseudo-
time stepping, coupled with the energy equation, is used to model the
thermodynamic effects of cavitation in cryogenic fluids. The analysis
is restricted to partial sheet cavitation in two-dimensional cascades.
Thermodynamic effects of cavitation assume significance in cryogenic
fluids because these fluids are generally operated close to the critic
al point and also because of the strong dependence of the vapor pressu
re on the temperature. The numerical approach used is direct and fully
nonlinear, that is, the cavity profile evolves as part of the solutio
n for a specified cavitation pressure. This precludes the necessity of
specifying specifying the cavity length or the location of the incept
ion point. Numerical solutions are presented for two-dimensional flow
problems and validated with experimental measurements. Predicted tempe
rature depressions are also compared with measurements for liquid hydr
ogen and nitrogen. The cavitation procedure presented is easy to imple
ment in engineering codes to provide satisfactory predictions of cavit
ation. The flexibility of the formulation also allows extension to mor
e complex flows and/or geometries.