Numerical Analysis of the Mechanism and Drag Characteristicsof Cavitating Flow Around a Disc Cavitator

Unsteady cavitating flow around a disc cavitator and its drag characteristics were studied numerically using the filter-based model (FBM). The simulation was carried out in a constant Reynolds number but different cavitation numbers, which were attained through the pressure variation of the inlet flow. The FBM model was embedded into the commercial software CFX through secondary development. The numerical results showed that the cavitation region will turn attached with the cavitator with the decrease of the cavitation number. The wake vortex can increase the periodicity and fluctuation of the drag force acting on the cavitator in the condition of large cavitation number, and with the decrease of the cavitation number, a stable drag characteristic curve will be acquired.