Numerical Analysis of the Effect of Cavitation on the Tip Leakage Vortex in an Axial-Flow Pump

To understand the effect of cavitation on tip leakage vortex (TLV), turbulent cavitating flows were numerically investigated using shear-stress transport (SST) k–ω turbulence model and Zwart–Gerber–Belamri model. In this work, two computations performed—one without other with cavitation—by changing inlet pressure pump. The results showed that had little difference between blade surfaces for a certain number. Instead, it changed clearance flow TLV structure. Cavitation caused core trajectory to be farther from suction surface closer endwall upstream blade. also strength distribution, making more dispersed. velocity kinetic energy lower, pulsation was intense in case. vorticity equation used further analyze influence evolution vortices. could change stretching term delay bending term. addition, dilation drastically at vapor–liquid interface.