Steady and unsteady numerical modeling of performance of a waterjet with non-cylindrical hub in cavitation and non-cavitation conditions using the finite volume method

Waterjet Propulsion System theory is a combination of pump and propeller. The pressure in the leading edge and suction side of a propeller at high rotational speed will be less than the saturation pressure of liquid; therefore cavitation occurs. In this paper, using the computational fluids dynamics, torque, efficiency and head parameters are predicted in non-cavitation conditions in steady and unsteady state. The numerical results compared with experimental data. In cavitation condition, the flow is modeled in two phases. The pattern of cavitation formation on the rotor was also studied. Furthermore for another flow coefficient, thrust breakdown value is obtained. A parametric study was also performed to investigate the role of the stator in neutralizing the torque of rotor. The structured mesh and MRF were used in the finite volume numerical simulation.