Effect of turning angles on the internal cavitation characteristics in a waterjet propeller

The cavitation not only generates vibration noise but also reduces the efficiency of waterjet propellers. Therefore, studying the cavitation characteristics of waterjet propellers is crucial for improving performance. This paper analyses waterjet propellers’cavitation characteristics under different turning angles using the Zwart cavitation model for numerical simulation. Specifically, it investigates the effect of turning angles on the distribution of cavity within the waterjet propellers. The study reveals that cavitation mainly occurs at the back of the blades due to the influence of a low-pressure region, with more intense cavitation observed at the rim. Additionally, the distribution of cavities in each blade and runner exhibits noticeable variations under the influence of non-uniform inlet flow. When cavitation reaches a certain extent, the severity of cavitation on the rim side surpasses that on the hub side. Furthermore, the left turn induces more intense internal cavitation within the impeller compared to the right turn.