Modeling of Cavitation-Induced Air Release Phenomena in Micro-Orifice Flows

Abstract

Impurities like air bubbles in hydraulic liquids can significantly affect the performance and reliability of hydraulic systems. The aim of this study was to develop a model suited for hydraulic system simulation to determine the rate of degassing of dissolved air in a micro-orifice flow at cavitating conditions. An existing model for the flow through a micro-orifice was extended to account for the generation of vapor which is suggested to play the key-role for the degassing mechanism. In comparison with measurements, the results of the modeling approach imply that diffusive mass transfer of dissolved air into generated vapor cavities is the dominating mechanism for the observed air release phenomena.