Numerical simulation of the thermal effect in the cavitating venturi flow

The thermal effect of cavitation was studied through solving the governing equations for the cavitating venturi flow, while the energy exchange between vapor and liquid in the cavitating venturi was considered. In order to obtain simulation conditions under which the venturi was operating in cavitating states, a specific cavitating venturi was designed and a testing system was built accordingly. The numerical simualtion shows that cavitation occurs across the venturi throat as the pressure-drop increases. Localized hot spots are generated and a high temperature zone is formed in the cavitating region due to the large amount of heat released from the shrinking process of bubbles. Temperature progressively increases along the cavity, peaking close to the end of the cavitating zone as the backflow makes contributions to bubble collapse during which a large amount of heat is released.