Stability of Parallel Bubbly and Cavitating Flows

Abstract

This paper examines the bubble dynamic effects on the stability of parallel bubbly and cavitating flows of low void fraction. Inertial effects associated with the bubble response and energy dissipation due to the viscosity of the liquid, the heat transfer between the two phases, and the liquid compressibility are included. The equations of motion are linearized for small perturbations and a modified Rayleigh equation for the inviscid stability of the two-dimensional parallel flow is derived. Numerical solutions of the characteristic problem for the modified Rayleigh equation of a free shear layer are obtained by means of a multiple shooting method. Depending on the dispersion of the gaseous phase in the bubbly mixture, the ambient pressure and the free stream velocities, the pressure of air bubbles can induce significant departures from the classical solution for a single phase fluid. Results are presented to illustrate the influence of the relevant flow parameters.