Comparison of multiphase models for computing shock-induced bubble collapse

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to quantify the relative importance of the multiphase model for the simulation of a gas bubble impacted by a normal shock wave in water. Both the free-field case and the collapse near a wall are investigated. Simulations are performed on both two- and three-dimensional configurations. The main phenomena involved in the bubble collapse are illustrated. A focus on the maximum pressure reached during the collapse is proposed. Design/methodology/approach Simulations are performed using an inviscid compressible homogeneous solver based on different systems of equations. It consists in solving different mixture or phasic conservation laws and a transport-equation for the gas volume fraction. Three-dimensional configurations are considered for which an efficient massively parallel strategy was developed. The code is based on a finite volume discretization for which numerical fluxes are computed with a Harten, Lax, Van Leer, Contact (HLLC) scheme. Findings The comparison of three multiphase models is proposed. It is shown that a simple four-equation model is well-suited to simulate such strong shock-bubble interaction. The three-dimensional collapse near a wall is investigated. It is shown that the intensity of pressure peaks on the wall is drastically increased (more than 200 per cent) in comparison with the cylindrical case. Research limitations/implications The study of bubble collapse is a key point to understand the physical mechanism involved in cavitation erosion. The bubble collapse close to the wall has been addressed as the fundamental mechanism producing damage. Its general behavior is characterized by the formation of a water jet that penetrates through the bubble and the generation of a blast wave during the induced collapse. Both the jet and the blast wave are possible damaging mechanisms. However, the high-speed dynamics, the small spatio-temporal scales and the complicated physics involved in these processes make any theoretical and experimental approach a challenge. Practical implications Cavitation erosion is a major problem for hydraulic and marine applications. It is a limiting point for the conception and design of such components. Originality/value Such a comparison of multiphase models in the case of a strong shock-induced bubble collapse is clearly original. Usually models are tested separately leading to a large dispersion of results. Moreover, simulations of a three-dimensional bubble collapse are scarce in the literature using such fine grids.