Computational Investigation of Sudden Expansion of Compressed Air in a Nearly Closed, Water-Filled Vessel

Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of flow field in a closed vessel under the effect of sudden expansion of compressed air are computationally investigated using a VOF (volume of fluid) method. The container under consideration is filled with water and small amount of flow rate through narrow gaps. Compressed air supplied into the vessel for a very short period of duration. The present work is aimed at investigating the effects of the air-to-water pressure ratio and the size of the gaps for leakage. Unsteady computations in 3D are presented and the results include the effects of gap size and the formation of air bubble along narrow gaps. This research was supported by the Program for the Training of Graduate Students in Regional Innovation which was conducted by the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy of the Korean Government