Cavitation Analysis Near Blade Leading Edge of an Axial-Flow Pump

In an axial-flow impeller, rotating flow with cavitation is simulated and experimentally studied with high speed photography technique. Special attention is paid to cavitation profile and its evolution near the blade leading edge. Flow field is firstly computed without cavitation model and low-pressure area is defined, then with cavitation model, the cavity volume fraction distributions are obtained. With corresponding model pump and a test rig, cavitation near blade leading edge is recorded with high-speed photography technique. Observed cavity profile and cavitation inception location are both in good accordance with that obtained through simulation. Cavity movement from suction surface to pressure surface through blade tip is also analyzed.