Partially cavitating hydrofoils: Experimental and numerical analysis

The numerical modeling of partially cavitating foils under a confined flow configuration is described. A complete study of previous numerical models h ighlights that the presence of a turbulent and two-phase wake, at the rear of the cavity, has a nonnegligible effect on the local pressure coefficient , the cavitation number, the cavity length and the lift coefficient; hence viscous effects must be included. Two potential methods are used, each bein g coupled with a calculation of the boundary layer developed downstream of the cavity. So, an open cavity" numerical model, as it is called, was devel oped and tested with two types of foil: a NACA classic foil and a foil of w hich the profile is obtained performing an inverse calculation on a propell er blade test section. On the other hand, under noncavitating conditions, f or each method, the results are compared with the results obtained by the N avier-Stokes solver "FLUENT. The cavitating flow configurations presented h erein were carried out using the small hydrodynamic tunnel at Bassin d'Essa is des Carenes [Val de Reuil, France]. The results obtained by the two meth ods are compared with experimental measurements.