Influence of ambient temperature on cavitation bubble dynamics

TL;DR

This study examines how increasing ambient temperature affects cavitation bubble behavior, revealing temperature-dependent weakening of collapse intensity, reduced jet velocity near boundaries, and the formation of secondary cavitation above 70°C, with implications for erosion mitigation.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis of temperature effects on cavitation bubbles, including experimental characterization and theoretical insights into secondary cavitation mechanisms.

Findings

Collapse intensity decreases with temperature

Secondary cavitation occurs above 70°C

Gas pressure drops below vapor pressure, inducing cavitation

Abstract

We investigate the influence of ambient temperature on the dynamics of spark-generated cavitation bubbles over a broad temperature range of 23 to 90$^\circ \text{C}$. Increasing temperature, the attenuation of collapse intensity of a bubble in a free field is quantitatively characterised through the Rayleigh factor, minimum bubble volume, and maximum collapse velocity. In scenarios where the bubble is initiated near a rigid boundary, this temperature-dependent weakening effect manifests further as a reduction in jet velocity and bubble migration. Additionally, our findings demonstrate that when ambient temperature exceeds 70$^\circ \text{C}$, secondary cavitation forms near the bubble surface around the moment of maximum bubble expansion, followed by coalescence-induced surface wrinkles. These perturbations trigger Rayleigh-Taylor instability and enhance bubble fission. We determine the internal gas pressure of the bubble at its maximum expansion via the Rayleigh-Plesset equation with the input of bubble radius from experimental measurements. It reveals that the secondary cavitation is derived from the gas pressure descending below the saturated vapor pressure, which provides nucleation-favorable conditions. This study sheds light on the physics behind erosion mitigation in high-temperature fluids from the perspective of cavitation bubble dynamics.