Orthogonal Experimental Design Based Nozzle Geometry Optimization for the Underwater Abrasive Water Jet

This paper proposes an orthogonal experimental design based on the optimization method for the nozzle geometry of an underwater abrasive water jet, with the objective of maximizing the cutting capacity and minimizing the nozzle-erosion rate. Parameter effects on the nozzle’s cutting capability and life are analyzed. This analysis shows that while the contraction-section curve, the contraction-section axial length and the focus-section axial length mainly affected the service life of the nozzle, the nozzle-outlet diameter mainly affected the cutting capacity of the nozzle. The effect significances of the structural parameters, from high to low, are outlet diameter > axial length of contraction section > axial length of focusing section > contraction curve. According to the optimal performance index for this nozzle, the optimal nozzle structure parameters were a contraction-section curve of A4 (parabolic), an axial length of contraction section of 20 mm, an outlet diameter of 2 mm, and an axial length focusing section of 10 mm. With the optimal parameters, the nozzle performance excellence index was Q = 1.441, which is the optimization objective and 44.1% higher than the baseline of the conical nozzle; the maximum velocity at a distance of 100 mm was improved by 56% and the maximum erosion rate was reduced by 72% compared to that of the conical nozzle.