Abstract

Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs in liquids when the pressure drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid. Previous research has verified that cavitation bubble collapse is a dynamic and destructive process. An understanding of the behavior of cavitation is necessary to implement this destructive mechanism from an axisymmetric jet for underwater material removal. This work investigates the influence of jet pressure and nozzle diameter on the behavior of a cloud of cavitation bubbles generated by a submerged high-pressure water jet. First, this investigation is put into context with a condensed historical background of cavitation research. Second, a description of the cavitation-generating apparatus is given. Next, the experimental methods used to explore the behavior of the cavitation clouds are explained. Finally, the results of the investigation, including propagation distance, cloud width and area, pulsation frequency, and cloud front velocity are presented. Among the results is a discussion of the significant experimental factors affecting the behavior of the cavitation clouds. It is shown that the Reynolds number, specifically the diameter of the nozzle, has a significant effect on the measurements. In some cases the jet pressure, and subsequent jet velocity, had a less significant effect than was expected. Overall, this research describes the cavitation cloud formed when a submerged high-speed water jet discharges.

Degree

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Mechanical Engineering

Rights

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