Unified modeling of cavitating sprays using a three-component volume of fluid method accounting for phase change and phase miscibility

In this study, a new three-fluid volume of fluid framework is presented in order to be used as a tool for providing physical insight—in a unified manner—to cavitating sprays and other complex multi-fluid, multiphase fluid flows. The framework accounts for phase change across a sharp interface between two fluids (gas and liquid) including miscibility between the fluid generated due to phase change (liquid vapor due to cavitation in the investigated cases) and one of the existent fluids (gaseous air). Systematic validation of the framework was performed over three cases. The first case is a bubble rising test case that an analytical solution for a two-phase system is available. Comparisons based on previous results from other interface tracking solvers and against the analytical solution are presented. This test case was then expanded by the authors so that a third non-condensable gas phase with a free-surface interface over a rising bubble was present. This second test case was used to further validate the three-fluid system behavior. Finally, experimental comparisons were made with a more realistic orthogonal spray geometry that captures different cavitation characteristics over a range of flow intensities. The predicted link between cavitation and the subsequent jet formation was highlighted. This is the first study, to our knowledge, that presents the performance of a three-fluid framework over a range of realistic injection conditions covering turbulent two-phase flows (no cavitation) to supercavitation.