4/14/13

Cavitation - an Introduction

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Cavitation - an Introduction
Cavitation may occur in fluid flow systems where local static pressure is below the vapor
pressure
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Introduction
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Cavitation is a common problem in pumps and control valves - causing serious wear and tear and damage. Under
the wrong conditions, cavitation reduces the component life time dramatically.

What is Cavitation?
Cavitation may occur when the local static pressure in a fluid reach a level below the vapor pressure of the liquid
at the actual temperature.
According to the Bernoulli Equation this may happen when the fluid accelerates in a control valve or around a
pump impeller.
The vaporization itself does not cause the damage - the damage happens when the vapor almost immediately
collapses after evaporation when the velocity is decreased and pressure increased.

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Avoiding Cavitation
Cavitation can in general be avoided by
increasing the distance between the actual local static pressure in the fluid - and the vapor pressure of the
fluid at the actual temperature
This can be done by:
reengineering components initiating high speed velocities and low static pressures
increasing the total or local static pressure in the system
reducing the temperature of the fluid

Reengineering of Components Initiating High Speed Velocity and Low Static Pressure
Cavitation and damage can be avoided by using special components designed for the actual rough conditions.
conditions as huge pressure drops can - with limitations - be handled by Multi Stage Control Valves
challenging pumping conditions - with fluid temperatures close to the vaporization temperature - can be
handled with special pumps - working after other principles than centrifugal pumps

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Increasing the Total or Local Pressure in the System

By increasing the total or local pressure in the system the distance between the static pressure and the
vaporization pressure is increased and vaporization and cavitation can be avoided.
The ratio between static pressure and the vaporization pressure - an indication of the possibility of vaporization, is
often expressed by the Cavitation Number.
Unfortunately it may not always be possible to increase total static pressure due to systems classifications or other
limitations. Local static pressure in components may be increased by lowering the component in the system.
Control valves and pumps should in general be positioned in the lowest part of the systems to maximize static
head.

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This is common solution for boiler feeding pumps receiving hot condensate (water close to 100 oC) from
condensate receivers.

Reducing the Temperature of the Fluid

The vaporization pressure depends of fluid temperature. Vapor pressure of Water, our most common fluid, is
indicated below:

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Temperature
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0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45

Vapor Pressure
(kN/m2)
0.6
0.9
1.2
1.7
2.3
3.2
4.3
5.6
7.7
9.6

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4/14/13

Cavitation - an Introduction

Pa (N/m 2 )

50
55
60

b ar

65

25

mm H2 O

70

32.1

kg/cm 2
psi

75
80

38.6
47.5

inches H2 O

85

57.8

Pressure

90

Flow

1
m 3 /h
US gpm
cfm

Convert!

70

95
100

Convert!

m 3 /s

12.5
15.7
20

84.5
101.33

Note! - the possibility of evaporation and cavitation increases dramatically with the water temperature.
Cavitation can also be avoided by locating components to the coldest part of a system. It is common to locate
pumps in heating systems in the "cold" return lines.
This is the same for control valves. If it is possible control valves should be located on the cold sides of heat
exchangers.
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Related Topics
Asia Electronics
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Fluid Mechanics - The study of fluids - liquids and gases. Involves various properties of the fluid, such as
velocity, pressure, density and temperature, as functions of space and time.
Pumps - Piping systems and pumps - centrifugal pumps, displacement pumps - cavitation, viscosity, head
and pressure, power consumption and more

Related Documents

World Industrial
Reporter

Boiling Fluids - Recommended Suction Flow Velocity - Recommended flow velocity for the pump suction
side
Cavitations Number - An introduction to and a definition of the Cavitations Number
Condensate Pumping - High temperatures and danger of impeller cavitation is the major challenge of
condensate pumping
Control Valves and Cavitation - Control valves and cavitation, application ratio and multi stage control
valves
Feeding Pumps - the Suction Lift in Steam Systems - The danger of impeller cavitations increases with
water temperature
Light Oils - Recommended Suction Flow Velocity - Recommended flow velocity for the pump suction side
Suction Flow Velocities of Water - Recommended water flow velocity on suction side of pump

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