Open Access

ARTICLE

Influence of Nozzle Geometry and Operating Parameters on High-Pressure Water Jets

Yuxin Wang¹, Youjiang Wang², Jieping Wang², Chao Zhang^1,*, Fanguang Meng³, Linhua Zhang¹, Yongxing Song^1,*

1 School of Thermal Engineering, Shandong Jianzhu University, Jinan, 250101, China
2 Shanxi Fusheng Aluminium Co., Ltd., Yuncheng, 044399, China
3 Zhejiang JingLiFang Digital Technology Group Co., Ltd, Hangzhou, 310013, China

* Corresponding Authors: Chao Zhang. Email: ; Yongxing Song. Email:

Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing 2025, 21(11), 2761-2777. https://doi.org/10.32604/fdmp.2025.072236

Received 22 August 2025; Accepted 06 November 2025; Issue published 01 December 2025

Abstract

High-pressure water jet technology has emerged as a highly effective method for removing industrial-scale deposits from pipelines, offering a clean, efficient, and environmentally sustainable alternative to conventional mechanical or chemical cleaning techniques. Among the many parameters influencing its performance, the geometry of the nozzle plays a decisive role in governing jet coherence, impact pressure distribution, and overall cleaning efficiency. In this study, a comprehensive numerical and experimental investigation is conducted to elucidate the influence of nozzle geometry on the behavior of high-pressure water jets. Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations based on the Volume of Fluid (VOF) approach, the jet dynamics and impingement characteristics of three representative nozzle configurations—flat, conical, and tapered—are systematically analyzed. Particular attention is devoted to the tapered nozzle, where variations in the outlet diameter are explored to determine their effect on flow structure, jet stability, and impact performance. The numerical predictions are rigorously validated against experimental measurements, demonstrating excellent quantitative agreement and confirming the robustness of the computational model. Results show that the tapered nozzle, characterized by its elongated conical transition section, promotes a more stable jet core and superior efflux performance compared to flat and conical geometries. Furthermore, the exit diameter is found to exert a profound influence on jet development. At an inlet pressure of 130 MPa, increasing the tapered nozzle’s outlet diameter from 0.8 mm to 1.2 mm enlarges the coherent core region, enhances jet stability, and improves hydraulic energy utilization. Under these conditions, the total impact pressure on the target surface increases by 33.14%, while the overall cleaning efficiency improves by 40.44%.

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Keywords

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