Optimized Geometric Structure of a Rotational Hydrodynamic Cavitation Reactor

The objective of this paper is to obtain an excellent structure of a rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (RHCR) by a numerical method and then to investigate the cavitating flow characteristics of the optimized RHCR experimentally. The RNG k-ε turbulence model combined with the Zwart cavitation model was applied to analyze the influence of the straight blade number, the baffle position and the baffle shape on the pressure field, bubble distribution and turbulence kinetic energy of the RHCR. The results show that compared to the original model, an RHCR with a straight blade number of 6, a baffle position of 0.74 and a triangular baffle offers better cavitation performance. Moreover, the energy performance and the cavitation development process of the optimized RHCR were studied experimentally. The results indicate that the multiscale bubbles are induced by straight blades and baffles of the optimized RHCR, accompanied by the twice quasi-periodic shedding dynamics in one cycle. The findings of this study have positive significance for the design and optimization of RHCRs.