LECTURE 8: Cavitation in pipelines and in pumps, NPSH (net positive suction head)

8.1 Cavitation in Pipelines

Whenever, pipeline axis is above HGL, negative pressure exists. (Page 112) Vertical distance measured between EGL and HGL = Vertical distance measured between HGL and Pipe axis = Pipe axis level at summit point h = Pipe axis level at point A Total Head for point summit

Total energy;

H=

+(
HGL EGL

At the submit point, S:

and

is a fixed positive value Hence, pressure head can only be negative value.

NEGATIVE PRESSURE EXIST IN THE PIPELINE WHENEVER THE PIPELINE RAISED ABOVE THE HYDRAULIC GRADIENT LINE

( )

= Total Head

Negative pressure reaches a maximum value at the summit , ( Water flow from S to R must flow against pressure gradient.
Lower pressure at S Higher pressure at R

Water always flows toward lower-energy locations.

The difference in elevation between S and R should be

)+

It is important to maintain pressure at all points in a pipeline above the vapor pressure of water. Vapor pressure of water a negative water column of 10 m at 200C. When the pressure in a pipe drops below this value, water will be vaporized locally to form vapor pockets (cavitation) that seperates the water in the pipes. These water pockets collapse in regions of higher pressure downstream. The action of vapor collapse is not violent, causing vibrations and sound that can greatly damage the pipeline.
2

Negative pressure should not be allowed exceed approximately 2/3 of the barometric head in any section of the pipeline (7-8 m). Example 8.1. Calculation of water vapor pressure at 100C:

Gage pressure in terms of water column

Atmospheric

8.1 Cavitation in Pumps

V1= 0, P1= Patm V2 Vs, P2 PS hp= z2-z1

3 2

Net Positive Suction Head avaliable (NPSHA) =

Net Positive Suction Head Required (NPSHR) =

To avoid cavitation P3> PV

>

Safety factors other dissolved gases in water,

Example 8.2 (Problem 5.6.3; Hwang, 3rd Edition ): A pump is installed 1-3 m above a supply reservoir (depending on the fluctuation level) and delivers 200C water to an elevated tank. The elevation difference is 45 m, and a 150-m long, cast iron pipe, 35 cm in diameter, is to be used. The suction line is 10 m of the 150 m length. Minor loss coefficients in the suction line add up to 3.7. If Pump III in Figure 5.10 will be used with a speed of 4350 rpm, will the installation susceptible to cavitation?

Working conditions of the pump should be decided from the intersection point of the systen curve and pump characteristic curve. Then, from intersection point NPSHR should be determined.

System Curve Data V 0 0.12 0.45 1.02 1.80 0 40 80 120 160 0 0.42 0.43 1.25 1.66 45 45.12 45.45 46.02 46.80

f 0 0.0205 0.019 0.019 0.0189

From Figure 5.10

Q = 110 L/sec

H = 47 m

5m

Pump elevation: 1 3 m < 4.75 m No cavitation