The characteristics of bubbly shock waves in a cavitating axisymmetric venturi via time-resolved X-ray densitometry

The bubbly shock-driven partial cavitation in an axisymmetric venturi is studied with time-resolved two-dimensional X-ray densitometry. The bubbly shock waves are characterised using the vapour fraction and pressure changes across it, propagation velocity, and Mach number. The sharp changes in vapour fraction measured with X-ray densitometry, combined with high-frequency dynamic pressure measurements, reveal that the interaction of the pressure wave with the vapour cavity dictates the shedding dynamics. At the lowest cavitation number (σ∼0.47), the condensation shock front is the predominant shedding mechanism. However, as σ increases (σ∼0.78), we observe an upstream travelling pressure discontinuity that changes into a condensation shock as it approaches the venturi throat. This coincides with the increasing strength of the bubbly shock wave as it propagates upstream, manifested by the increasing velocity of the shock front and the pressure rise across it. Consequently, the Mach number of the shock front increases and surpasses the critical value 1, favouring condensation shocks. Further, at higher σ (∼0.84–0.9), both the re-entrant jet and pressure wave can cause cavity detachment. However, at such σ, the pressure wave likely remains subsonic. Hence cavity condensation is not favoured readily. This leads to the re-entrant jet causing the cavity detachment at higher σ. The shock front is accelerated as it propagates upstream through the variable cross-section of the venturi. This enhances its strength, favouring cavity condensation and eventual shedding. These observations explain the existence of shock fronts in an axisymmetric venturi for a large range of σ.