Analysis of cavities characteristics of underwater pulsed current discharge

Abstract In order to analyze the motion characteristics of pulsed discharge cavities in water, the process of cavities motion were obtained by a combining shadow method and high-speed camera. Through detailed data analysis and calculation, the theoretical motion process of cavities in water is obtained by the Rayleigh–Plesset model. The comparison between the theoretical results and the experimental data shows that the model can reproduce the motion process of cavities well. The variation trend of pressure and temperature in cavities is given, and the characteristics of the cavitiy motion period, radius and initial energy under different voltages are analyzed. Finally, the mass diffusion and heat transfer are calculated quantitatively. The results provide a basis for analyzing the generation process of secondary shock waves and perfecting the theoretical system of pulsed discharge in water.