Gas Removal by a Spark-Generated Bubble in a Rigid Tube

Abstract

An experimental investigation of the interactions between a spark-generated bubble and a gas slug in a narrow tube is studied. The growth and collapse of the vapor bubble are recorded with the help of high-speed photography. The behavior of the trapped gas slug is affected by the dynamics of the vapor bubble in the rigid tube. In this paper, the complicated interactions of two bubbles are revealed. It is found that the direction of the post-collapse flow depends on the relative position of the vapor bubble in the tube. Likewise, the velocity of gas removal is associated with the relative positions and sizes of the bubbles. The pressure generated by the collapse of the vapor bubble plays an important role in propelling the gas out. At last the directions of the post-collapse flow are summarized. A brief "Pumping effect" in the narrow tube is discussed, which is useful for gas removal in practice. These results may be beneficial for the cavitation applications.