Publication detail

Numerical and experimental analysis of self-induced instabilities of straight cavitating vortex

ŠTEFAN, D. HUDEC, M. POCHYLÝ, F. RUDOLF, P.

English title

Numerical and experimental analysis of self-induced instabilities of straight cavitating vortex

Type

Paper in proceedings outside WoS and Scopus

Language

en

Original abstract

Cavitating vortices are a well-documented and critical phenomenon in hydraulic machinery, known to induce significant pressure fluctuations, mechanical vibrations, and potential structural damage. These unsteady flow structures can emerge even in small-scale hydraulic machines, particularly under off-design operating conditions. This study investigates the development and behavior of a straight cavitating vortex that forms downstream of a centrifugal pump that operates in reverse mode (turbine mode). Since the pump geometry is originally optimized for pumping applications, the onset of vortex-induced cavitation occurs even at the best efficiency operating points. The research combines CFD simulations and experimental measurements to analyze the flow field and characterize the unsteady behavior of the cavitating vortex. Special attention is paid to self-induced instabilities that arise due to the complex interaction between the cavitating vortex core and the surrounding mean flow.

Keywords in English

cavitation; straight vortex; swirling flow; CFD simulation; pump-as-turbine

Released

2026-01-07

Publisher

University of West Bohemia

Location

Plzeň, Czech Republic

ISBN

978-80-261-1254-9

Book

PROCEEDINGS OF COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS 2025

Pages from–to

195–198

Pages count

4

BIBTEX


@inproceedings{BUT200140,
  author="David {Štefan} and Martin {Hudec} and František {Pochylý} and Pavel {Rudolf}",
  title="Numerical and experimental analysis of self-induced instabilities of straight cavitating vortex",
  booktitle="PROCEEDINGS OF COMPUTATIONAL MECHANICS 2025",
  year="2026",
  pages="195--198",
  publisher="University of West Bohemia",
  address="Plzeň, Czech Republic",
  isbn="978-80-261-1254-9",
  url="https://dspace.zcu.cz/items/73687271-c9ee-4ba3-8786-c13e81367ddf"
}