Caleb Herup

MAE-4000 SEC-001
Tom Amundson
10/2/15

Cavitation and Bubbles

Dr. Olivier Coutier-Delgoshas primary area of research at the Laboratorie de Mecanique
de Lille consists primarily of the study of cavitation and bubbles in high speed liquid flows.
Cavitation can occur when a high velocity liquid flow comes into contact with an interfering
surface, such as a turbine blade. Cavitation is the phenomenon of vaporization caused by the
resulting turbulence, creating small pockets, or bubbles, of vapor. The collapse of these bubbles
causes vibration in the machinery, as well as erosion. Cavitation can dramatically decrease the
life cycle of a turbine, and can cause a catastrophic failure if unmonitored.
Cavitation is a serious issue where turbines are concerned. Cavitation has been identified
as the main cause of rocket booster explosions in the past, as the velocities through the
turbopump inducers are extreme. The goal of Dr. Coutier-Delgoshas research has been to create
a reliable model for the turbulence caused by cavitation, to help predict a reasonable life cycle
for different turbine designs.
Cavitation is an extremely difficult area of study, as turbulence is extremely arbitrary in
nature, making an accurate simple math model impossible. However, a predictable model can be
established empirically through the collection of experimental data. X-ray imaging was utilized
to study cavitation as it occurred, and computer generated algorithms were created based on the
data collected. Through this process, as well as direct numerical simulation, a more reliable

model of Cavitation in in creation, that will hopefully do much to resolve the problems of
vibration damage and erosion in turbine blades.
Dr. Coutier-Delgoshas work is on the cutting edge of the scientific communitys
understanding of the concept of Cavitation. With a reliable model of Cavitation and its effects in
the works, many possibilities in turbine design open up. Optimization of turbine shape to reduce
cavitation can be much more effective with a numerical model in place, and a turbines life span
can be much more accurately predicted. A numerical model of Cavitation is extremely practical
and useful in the modern world.