Multiple observations of cavitation cluster dynamics close to an ultrasonic horn tip

Bubble dynamics in water close to the tip of an ultrasonic horn (～23 kHz, 3 mm diameter) have been studied using electrochemistry, luminescence, acoustics, light scattering, and high-speed imaging. It is found that, under the conditions employed, a large bubble cluster (～1.5 mm radius) exists at the tip of the horn. This cluster collapses periodically every three to four cycles of the fundamental frequency of the horn. Following the collapse of the cluster, a short-lived cloud of small bubbles (each tens of microns in diameter) was observed in the solution. Large amplitude pressure emissions are also recorded, which correlate temporally with the cluster collapse. Bursts of surface erosion (measured in real time using an electrochemical technique) and multibubble sonoluminescence emission both also occur at a subharmonic of the fundamental frequency of the horn and are temporally correlated with the bubble cluster collapse and the associated pressure wave emission.     

Characterising the cavitation activity generated by an ultrasonic horn at varying tip-vibration amplitudes

Dual-perspective high-speed imaging and acoustic detection is used to characterise cavitation activity at the tip of a commercial 20 kHz (f₀) ultrasonic horn, over 2 s sonications across the range of input powers available (20 – 100%). Imaging at 1 × 10⁵ frames per second (fps) captures cavitation-bubble cluster oscillation at the horn-tip for the duration of the sonication. Shadowgraphic imaging at 2 Mfps, from an orthogonal perspective, probes cluster collapse and shock wave generation at higher temporal resolution, facilitating direct correlation of features within the acoustic emission data generated by the bubble activity. f₀/m subharmonic collapses of the primary cavitation cluster directly beneath the tip, with m increasing through integer values at increasing input powers, are studied. Shock waves generated by periodic primary cluster collapses dominate the non-linear emissions of the cavitation noise spectra. Transitional input powers for which the value of m is indistinct, are identified. Overall shock wave content within the emission signals collected during sonications at transitional input powers are reduced, relative to input powers with distinct m. The findings are relevant for the optimisation of applications such as sonochemistry, known to be mediated by bubble collapse phenomena.     

Investigation of noninertial cavitation produced by an ultrasonic horn

This paper reports on noninertial cavitation that occurs beyond the zone close to the horn tip to which the inertial cavitation is confined. The noninertial cavitation is characterized by collating the data from a range of measurements of bubbles trapped on a solid surface in this noninertial zone. Specifically, the electrochemical measurement of mass transfer to an electrode is compared with high-speed video of the bubble oscillation. This gas bubble is shown to be a "noninertial" event by electrochemical surface erosion measurements and "ring-down" experiments showing the activity and motion of the bubble as the sound excitation was terminated. These measurements enable characterization of the complex environment produced below an operating ultrasonic horn outside of the region where inertial collapse can be detected. The extent to which solid boundaries in the liquid cause the frequencies and shapes of oscillatory modes on the bubble wall to differ from their free field values is discussed.     

Modeling cavitation in a rapidly changing pressure field – Application to a small ultrasonic horn

Ultrasonic horn transducers are frequently used in applications of acoustic cavitation in liquids. It has been observed that if the horn tip is sufficiently small and driven at high amplitude, cavitation is very strong, and the tip can be covered entirely by the gas/vapor phase for longer time intervals. A peculiar dynamics of the attached cavity can emerge with expansion and collapse at a self-generated frequency in the subharmonic range, i.e. below the acoustic driving frequency. The term “acoustic supercavitation” was proposed for this type of cavitation Žnidarčič et al. (2014) [1].We tested several established hydrodynamic cavitation models on this problem, but none of them was able to correctly predict the flow features. As a specific characteristic of such acoustic cavitation problems lies in the rapidly changing driving pressures, we present an improved approach to cavitation modeling, which does not neglect the second derivatives in the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. Comparison with measurements of acoustic supercavitation at an ultrasonic horn of 20 kHz frequency revealed a good agreement in terms of cavity dynamics, cavity volume and emitted pressure pulsations.The newly developed cavitation model is particularly suited for simulation of cavitating flow in highly fluctuating driving pressure fields.     

Observations of cavitation erosion pit formation

Previous investigations showed that a single cavitation bubble collapse can cause more than one erosion pit (Philipp & Lauterborn [1]). But our preliminary study showed just the opposite – that in some cases a single cavitation pit can result from more than one cavitation event. The present study shows deeper investigation of this phenomenon. An investigation of the erosion effects of ultrasonic cavitation on a thin aluminum foil was made. In the study we observed the formation of individual pits by means of high speed cameras (>1000 fps) and quantitatively evaluated the series of images by stereoscopy and the shape from shading method. This enabled the reconstruction of the time evolution of the pit shape. Results show how the foil is deformed several times before a hole is finally punctured. It was determined that larger single pits result from several impacts of shock waves on the same area, which means that they are merely special cases of pit clusters (pit clusters where pits overlap perfectly). Finally it was shown that a thin foil, which is subjected to cavitation, behaves as a membrane. It was concluded that the physics behind erosion depends significantly on the means of generating cavitation (acoustic, hydrodynamic, laser light) and the specimen characteristics (thin foil, massive specimen), which makes comparison of results of materials resistance to cavitation from different experimental set-ups questionable.Further development of the shape from shading method in the scope of cavitation erosion testing will enable better evaluation of cavitation erosion models.     

Energy partitioning in laser-induced millimeter-sized spherical cavitation up to the fourth oscillation

To investigate the energy partitioning up to the fourth oscillation of a millimeter-scale spherical cavitation bubble induced by laser, we used nanosecond laser pulses to generate highly spherical cavitation bubbles and shadowgraphs to measure the radius-time curve. Using the extended Gilmore model and considering the continuous condensation of the vapor in the bubble, the time evolution of the bubble radius, bubble wall velocity, and pressure in the bubble is calculated till the 4th oscillation. Using Kirkwood-Bethe hypothesis, the evolution of velocity and pressure of shock wave at the optical breakdown, the first and second collapses are calculated. The shock wave energy at the breakdown and bubble collapse is directly calculated by numerical method. We found the simulated radius-time curve fits well with experimental data for the first four oscillations. The energy partition at the breakdown is the same as that in previous studies, the ratio of shock wave energy to bubble energy is about 2:1. In the first collapse and the second collapse, the ratio of shock wave energy to bubble energy is 14.54:1 and 2.81:1 respectively. In the third and fourth collapses, the ratio is less, namely than 1.5:1 and 0.42:1 respectively. The formation mechanism of the shock wave at the collapse is analyzed. The breakdown shock wave is mainly driven by the expansion of the supercritical liquid resulting from the thermalization of the energy of the free electrons in the plasma, and the collapse shock wave is mainly driven by the compressed liquid around the bubble.     

螺旋桨空化噪声连续谱仿真算法

螺旋桨空化噪声连续谱由大量空泡随机崩溃所辐射噪声叠加而成。据此,考虑到空泡初始崩溃时刻的随机性和各空泡辐射噪声频谱的相似性,对四种情况空化辐射噪声连续谱特性分别进行了理论分析表明,可依据空泡半径和初始崩溃时间的统计性质,采用蒙特卡罗方法对空化噪声连续谱波形进行仿真建模,模型参数为空泡半径期望值、差异度和随机度,分别相应于确定辐射噪声的基准波形、各空泡噪声频谱相似程度和大量空泡的随机崩溃过程。该方法输入参数物理意义明确,控制简单,能较好地仿真空化噪声连续谱的特性,仿真结果与理论分析吻合较好。     

Quantitative measurements of acoustic emissions from cavitation at the surface of a stone in response to a lithotripter shock wave

Measurements are presented of acoustic emissions from cavitation collapses on the surface of a synthetic kidney stone in response to shock waves (SWs) from an electrohydraulic lithotripter. A fiber optic probe hydrophone was used for pressure measurements, and passive cavitation detection was used to identify acoustic emissions from bubble collapse. At a lithotripter charging voltage of 20 kV, the focused SW incident on the stone surface resulted in a peak pressure of 43 +/- 6 MPa compared to 23 +/- 4 MPa in the free field. The focused SW incident upon the stone appeared to be enhanced due to the acoustic emissions from the forced cavitation collapse of the preexisting bubbles. The peak pressure of the acoustic emission from a bubble collapse was 34 +/- 15 MPa, that is, the same magnitude as the SWs incident on the stone. These data indicate that stresses induced by focused SWs and cavitation collapses are similar in magnitude thus likely play a similar role in stone fragmentation.     

Stabilization and acoustic spectra of a cavitation cluster in an ultrasonic spherical cavity

The dynamics, stabilization, and acoustic spectra of a bubble cluster in different liquids are investigated under the condition of ultrasonic cavitation. Experimental data for the dynamics of a spherical ultrasonic cluster near the end face of a rod, capillary, or pressure sensor placed in the antinode of a pressure standing wave at the center of a single-wave spherical piezoelectric concentrator (piezoelectric sphere) are presented. The variation of the cluster size with the parameters of the ultrasonic field and properties of the liquid is studied. It is found that the shape, collapse dynamics, and stability of the cavitation cluster have a significant influence on the acoustocapillary effect. It is shown that the maximal acoustocapillary effect and sonoluminescence are observed when a stable cluster with spherically symmetric collapse dynamics is provided at the end of a capillary in a 50% solution of glycerol. Using a small-size piezotransducer placed at the center of the sphere, the acoustic pressure is measured and acoustic spectra are studied for different voltages across the piezosphere and during the formation of variously shaped cavitation clusters. In the case of fully developed cavitation and a spherical cluster, the acoustic spectra contain subharmonic components, the cavitation noise factor rises to 35%, and the maximum of the noise envelope shifts toward higher frequencies.     

曲面固壁附近空化泡溃灭动力学的 流体体积数值研究*

流体体积法(VOF)可以便捷、高效地实现对多相流界面的捕捉和追踪。本文基于VOF方法,对单个空化泡在曲面固壁附近的运动进行了数值模拟,从实验对比、压力场、速度场、温度场演化、溃灭时间、射流速度、固壁温度等方面分析了空化泡溃灭过程的热动力学影响。结果表明,数值模拟得到的空化泡形态演化与实验观测到的现象一致,随着位置参数、泡内外压差及曲面固壁尺寸的改变,空化泡热动力学行为也将发生变化,受到流体运动及射流冲击的影响,溃灭瞬间产生的高温高压使得曲面固壁温度升高。本文研究的曲面固壁附近空化泡溃灭效应,揭示了空化泡与曲面固壁间的相互作用规律,对学术研究及工程应用都具有重要意义。     

The Rayleigh-like collapse of a conical bubble

Key to the dynamics of the type of bubble collapse which is associated with such phenomena as sonoluminescence and the emission of strong rebound pressures into the liquid is the role of the liquid inertia. Following the initial formulation of the collapse of an empty spherical cavity, such collapses have been termed "Rayleigh-like." Today this type of cavitation is termed "inertial," reflecting the dominant role of the liquid inertia in the early stages of the collapse. While the inertia in models of spherical bubble collapses depends primarily on the liquid, experimental control of the liquid inertia has not readily been achievable without changing the liquid density and, consequently, changing other liquid properties. In this paper, novel experimental apparatus is described whereby the inertia at the early stages of the collapse of a conical bubble can easily be controlled. The collapse is capable of producing luminescence. The similarity between the collapses of spherical and conical bubbles is investigated analytically, and compared with experimental measurements of the gas pressures generated by the collapse, the bubble wall speeds, and the collapse times.     

Long-lasting stable cavitation

Stable cavitation is produced on the surface of a special target, i.e., an abrasive foil with a grain size of about 15 microm, insonified by a 473 kHz focused beam. Cavitation bubbles are first created by a pressure of about 2 MPa. Progressive reduction of the pressure to about 100 kPa leads to a state of stable cavitation characterized by strong stable emission of the half-order subharmonic. This state can be maintained for five hours if the defining parameters (position and pressure) are optimized and constant to within a few percent. There is strong evidence for the presence of "latent" cavitation bubbles, which can persist for a few minutes without being excited.     

近复杂几何固壁空泡溃灭的伪势格子Boltzmann建模*

格子Boltzmann方法伪势多相模型具有高效性和复杂几何边界实施的简易性。该文采用改进作用力的伪势多相模型,通过优化参数实现最大程度的热力学一致性,进而提高模型的密度比和稳定性。分别从伪速度、网格不变性、Young-Laplace验证等方面研究了改进模型的性能。通过改进的模型模拟了复杂几何固壁附近空泡溃灭过程。分析了空化泡溃灭阶段的密度场、压力场和速度场演化过程,以及复杂几何固壁附近的空泡动力学特性。结果表明伪势格子Boltzmann方法在探索空泡溃灭和复杂几何固壁间的相互作用规律研究中是一种有效的工具。     

Laser-induced cavitation bubbles and shock waves in water near a concave surface

The interplay among the cavitation structures and the shock waves following a nanosecond laser breakdown in water in the vicinity of a concave surface was visualized with high-speed shadowgraphy and schlieren cinematography. Unlike the generation of the main cavitation bubble near a flat or a convex surface, the concave surface refocuses the emitted shock waves and causes secondary cavitation near the acoustic focus which is most pronounced when triggered by the shock wave released during the first main bubble collapse. The shock wave propagation, reflection from the concave surface and its scattering on the dominant cavity is clearly resolvable on the shadowgraphs. The schlieren approach revealed the pressure build up in the last stage of the collapse and the first stage of the rebound. A persistent low-density watermark is left behind the first collapse. The observed effects are important wherever cavities collapse near indented surfaces, such as in cavitation peening, cavitation erosion and ophthalmology.     

Quantitative evaluation of the microjet velocity and cavitation erosion on a copper plate produced by a spherical cavity focused transducer at the high hydrostatic pressure

Cavitation erosion at the high hydrostatic pressure causes the equipment to operate abnormally for the huge economic losses. Few methods can quantitatively evaluate the cavitation erosion intensity. In order to solve this problem, the cavitation erosion on a copper plate was carried out in a spherical cavity focused transducer system at the hydrostatic pressure of 3, 6, and 10 MPa. Meanwhile, the corresponding cavitation threshold, the initial bubble radius, and the microjet velocity in the ultrasonic field are theoretically analyzed to determine the dimension and velocity of microjet based on the following hypotheses: (1) the influence of the coalescence on the bubble collapse is ignored; (2) the dimension of the microjet is equal to the largest bubble size without the influence of gravity and buoyancy. Using the Westervelt equation for the nonlinear wave propagation and the Johnson-Cook material constitutive model for the high strain rate, a microjet impact model of the multi-bubble cavitation was constructed. In addition, through the analogy with the indentation test, an inversion model was proposed to calculate the microjet velocity and the cavitation erosion intensity. The microjet geometric model was constructed from the dimension and velocity of the microjet. The continuous microjet impact was proposed according to the equivalent impact momentum and solved by the finite element method. The relative errors of the pit depth are 4.02%, 3.34%, and 1.84% at the hydrostatic pressure of 3, 6, and 10 MPa, respectively, and the relative error in the evolution of pit morphology is 7.33% at 10 MPa, which verified the reliability of the proposed models. Experimental and simulation results show that the higher the hydrostatic pressure, the greater the pit depth, pit diameter, the pit-to-microjet diameter ratio, and the cavitation erosion intensity, but the smaller the pit diameter-to-depth ratio. The cavitation erosion intensity becomes significant with the ongoing ultrasonic exposure. In addition, a comparison of the cavitation pit morphology in the microjet pulsed and continuous impact modes shows that the continuous impact mode is effective without the elastic deformation caused by the residual stress. Using the cavitation pit morphology at the different hydrostatic pressures, the microjet velocity can be estimated successfully and accurately in a certain range, whose corresponding errors at the lower and upper limit are 5.98% and 0.11% at 3 MPa, 6.62% and 9.14% at 6 MPa, 6.54% and 5.42% at 10 MPa, respectively. Our proposed models are valid only when the cavitation pit diameter-to-depth ratio is close to 1. Altogether, the cavitation erosion induced by multi-bubble collapses in the focal region of a focused transducer could be evaluated both experimentally and numerically. Using the cavitation pit morphology and the inversion model, the microjet velocity in a certain range could be estimated successfully with satisfactory accuracy.     

Reflection of plane waves from a fluid-solid boundary involving cavitation

A strong incident wave of high frequency producing tensile stresses at the interface of an elastic fluid and a rigid solid is considered. Tensile stresses at the interface produce cavitation, and the fluid separates from the solid with the appearance of cavitation bubbles. It is found that the bubbles collapse at the trailing edges and the pressure rises discontinuously at the points where the bubbles disappear, thus exhibiting some of the features associated with ultrasonic cleaning and cavitation erosion.     

Waveform analysis of cavitation in a globe valve

Cavitation is a dynamic phenomenon occurring in fluid flows, where the local static pressure is lower than the saturated vapor pressure at working temperature. The growth and collapse of cavitation bubbles leads to corrosion and pitting of metal surfaces. Considering the fact that erosion by cavitation is still one of the current problems, it is important to detect the initiation, fully developed point of cavitation and to analyze its characteristics. In this research, an attempt is made to study acoustic waveform of cavitation in the globe valve. The waveform is transformed by Fast Fourier Transform and its important parameters such as amplitude, energy, frequency and so on are analyzed.     

Thermodynamic of collapsing cavitation bubble investigated by pseudopotential and thermal MRT-LBM

The thermodynamic of cavitation bubble collapsing is a complex fundamental issue for cavitation application and prevention. The pseudopotential and thermal multi-relaxation-time lattice Boltzmann method (MRT-LBM) is adopted to investigate the thermodynamic of collapsing cavitation bubble in this paper. The simulation results satisfy the maximum temperature equation of the bubble collapse, which derived from the Rayleigh-Plesset (R-P) equation. The validity of thermal MRT-LBM in simulating the collapse process of cavitation bubble is verified. It shows that the temperature evolution of vapor-liquid phase is well captured. Furthermore, the two-dimensional (2D) temperature, velocity and pressure field of the bubble near a solid wall are analyzed. The maximum temperature inside the bubble and wall temperature under different position offset parameters are discussed in details.     

含气量对激光空泡在刚性壁面空蚀的影响

采用强脉冲激光器设计液体环境下刚性壁面空蚀实验平台,改变液体中含气量,利用高速相机观察不同含气量条件下激光空泡在壁面附近的脉动过程,并对刚性壁面造成的空蚀结果进行了观测。实验研究发现,随着液体中相对空气含量的提高,激光空泡脉动的最大尺寸增大,空泡的膨胀运动变剧烈,溃灭运动速度降低,空泡的溃灭强度降低,从而影响到溃灭冲击波和壁面微射流对刚性壁面的冲击速度,减弱了壁面空蚀,而液体中含气量的提高能够降低激光空泡对刚性壁面的空蚀程度。