Operation & Maintenance

Cavitation test

Pump cavitation is a phenomenon of the formation and subsequent collapse or implosion of vapor bubbles in a pump. This can cause damage to the pump impeller and reduce the pump's efficiency, as well as create noise and vibration. To prevent cavitation from occurring, it is important to ensure that the pump is not operating beyond its design limits. A cavitation test can be performed to determine the operational envelope under which cavitation can be prevented, taking into account the characteristics of the input fluid.

Table of content:
What is cavitation in pumps?
Cavitation test in pumps

What is cavitation in pumps?

Cavitation is a phenomenon that occurs in pumps when the pressure inside the pump drops below the vapor pressure of the fluid being pumped. This can happen in any type of pump, but it is most common in centrifugal pumps, where the fluid is accelerated by the impeller and then decelerated in the volute or diffuser. When the fluid velocity is too high or the pressure is too low, the fluid can vaporize, leading to cavitation.

Cavitation can cause damage to the pump impeller and reduce the pump's efficiency, as well as create noise and vibration. Cavitation can also lead to a shortened lifespan of the pump and its components due to the collapse of vapor bubbles, which can cause erosion and shockwaves.

To prevent cavitation, it is important to maintain adequate inlet pressure, avoid excessive fluid velocity, and ensure proper design and installation of the pump and its components. That's why it is important to understand the operational envelope under which cavitation can be prevented. The operational envelope refers to the range of operating conditions, such as flow rate and pressure, within which the pump can operate without experiencing cavitation.

Check the detailed post on pump cavitation to study more about cavitation.

Cavitation test in pumps

By testing the pump under various conditions, engineers can determine the optimal operating range for the pump and make adjustments to the system as needed to prevent cavitation.

One way that cavitation can be detected is through the use of an accelerometer or an acoustic microphone. As the cavitation bubbles collapse, they create a distinctive "pinging" sound that can be detected by an acoustic microphone. The vibration caused by the collapsing bubbles can also be detected by an accelerometer, which measures changes in the acceleration of the pump housing. This can be done by installing the sensor on the pump housing and monitoring the sensor output while the pump is operating under various conditions.

Another method to test for cavitation is to use a visual inspection of the pump impeller. Cavitation can cause erosion and pitting on the impeller surface, which can be visible to the naked eye. However, this method may not be suitable for all pumps and may require the pump to be dismantled for inspection.

A more advanced method for testing cavitation is to use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation software. CFD can be used to model the fluid flow through the pump and predict the likelihood of cavitation occurring under different operating conditions. This method can be useful for optimizing the design of a pump to reduce the risk of cavitation.

When conducting a cavitation test, it is important to consider the characteristics of the input fluid, such as its viscosity, temperature, and vapor pressure. As these can have a significant impact on the likelihood of cavitation occurring. Testing should be conducted under a range of operating conditions to determine the operational envelope under which cavitation can be prevented.

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