A numerical investigation of non-spherical rebounding bubbles

Abstract

The motion of buoyant transient cavities with non-condensible contents is investigated numerically using a boundary-integral method. The bubble contents are described by an adiabatic gas law. Motion is considered in the neighbourhood of a rigid boundary, in an axisymmetric geometry. We investigate whether the non-condensible contents will resist the formation of jets. It is found that jets form upon collapse and, in general, completely penetrate the bubble before it rebounds, but circumstances are identified under which the non-spherical bubble will rebound prior to this occurrence. In these cases the bulk of the jet growth occurs upon rebound. Furthermore, the interaction between the buoyancy force causing jet formation upwards, and the Bjerknes attraction of the rigid boundary causing jet formation towards it, is investigated and general principles discussed which allow the behaviour to be interpreted. The concept of the Kelvin impulse is utilized.