Here we report numerical investigations of the cavitating and supercavitating flow behind a threedimensional disk with particular emphasis on detailed comparisons of the various turbulence and mass transfer models. Simulations were performed using the OpenFOAM package and flows at three different cavitation numbers, (σ=0.2, 0.1, and 0.05) were considered. Large eddy simulation (LES) and k -w SST turbulence approaches were coupled with various mass transfer model types (e.g. Kunz, Schnerr-Sauer and Zwart models). The Zwart mass transfer model was added to the standard OpenFOAM package. A compressive volume of fluid (VOF) method was applied to track the interface between the liquid and vapor phases. Our numerical results for the cavity length, diameter, and drag coefficient compared fairly well with experimental data and a broad set of analytical relations. Moreover, this work provides a better understanding of the cavitation dynamics behind disk cavitators. Our results indicate that the most accurate solutions will be obtained by applying an LES turbulence approach in combination with the Kunz mass transfer model.

Keywords