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Liquid compressibility effects during the collapse of a single cavitating bubble
1Division of Engineering and Applied Science, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. fuster@caltech.edu
Liquid compressibility significantly impacts cavitating bubble dynamics. Full models reveal stronger collapses and smaller rebounds than simplified Rayleigh-Plesset equations, highlighting energy transfer to pressure waves.
Area of Science:
- Fluid Dynamics
- Acoustics
- Thermodynamics
Background:
- Liquid compressibility effects on bubble dynamics are crucial but not fully understood.
- Existing models like Rayleigh-Plesset equations may not accurately capture these effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of liquid compressibility on single, spherical cavitating bubble dynamics.
- To compare results from a full numerical model with simplified Rayleigh-Plesset type equations.
Main Methods:
- Numerical solution of conservation equations (mass, momentum, energy) for bubble and surrounding liquid.
- Direct capture of radiated pressure waves from the bubble interface.
- Comparison of full model results with Keller-Miksis, Gilmore, and Tomita-Shima equations.
Main Results:
- Strong collapses concentrate energy into outgoing pressure waves.
- Full model predicts higher peak pressures than Rayleigh-Plesset type equations.
- Rebound amplitudes are smaller in the full model compared to predictions.
Conclusions:
- Simplified Rayleigh-Plesset equations may underestimate peak pressures and overestimate rebound amplitudes.
- Accurate modeling of liquid compressibility is essential for understanding cavitating bubble dynamics.
- Energy radiation as pressure waves plays a significant role during bubble collapse.
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