Numerical analysis of hydrophobic surface effects on cavitation inception and evolution in high-speed centrifugal pumps for thermal energy storage and transfer systems

This study explores the influence of wettability surfaces on cavitation inception and evolution in high-speed centrifugal pumps used for thermal energy storage and transfer systems through numerical simulations. The simulations were conducted using the Kunz mass transfer model implemented in Fluent,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physics of fluids (1994) 2024-09, Vol.36 (9)
Main Authors: Guo, Dajiang, Wang, Cong, Ruan, Yu, Yin, Hongmei, Fan, XiaoXu, Wang, Ziwei, Jiang, MingDa, Zhang, Lei
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cavitation
Centrifugal pumps
Contact angle
Contact stresses
Energy storage
Frequency stability
High speed
Hydrophobic surfaces
Hydrophobicity
K-omega turbulence model
Mass transfer
Multiphase flow
Numerical analysis
Shear stress
Surface stability
System reliability
Thermal energy
Turbulence models
Wettability
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Summary:This study explores the influence of wettability surfaces on cavitation inception and evolution in high-speed centrifugal pumps used for thermal energy storage and transfer systems through numerical simulations. The simulations were conducted using the Kunz mass transfer model implemented in Fluent, combined with the Eulerian multiphase flow approach and the shear stress transport k–ω turbulence model. The cavitation dynamics were analyzed across contact angles ranging from superhydrophilic to superhydrophobic conditions. The results demonstrate that superhydrophobic surfaces delay cavitation onset compared to hydrophilic ones, reducing the critical cavitation coefficient by at least 28%. At flow rates of 1.11 Q0 and 0.89 Q0, cavitation numbers show distinct trends, with superhydrophobic surfaces enhancing cavitation stability and reducing the frequency of cavitation shedding. The reentrant jet dynamics are also affected, with increased hydrophobicity weakening the jets and stabilizing cavitation zones. This research aims to advance the understanding of using surface wettability to manage cavitation in high-speed centrifugal pumps, thereby improving the performance and reliability of thermal energy storage and transfer systems.
ISSN:1070-6631
1089-7666
DOI:10.1063/5.0229878