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Basics Cavitation PDF
Basics Cavitation PDF
Pump Basics
Basics
CAVITATION,
NPSHR,
& NPSHA
Cavitation?
Higher pressure, but
still moving fast =
Kinetic energy
Sharp speed
increase due to
centrifugal force.
Slight pressure
increase. Bubbles
start to implode,
releasing
damaging energy
Vaporization
starts to occur
here
Volute Wall
Moving slowly,
now highest
pressure
(Potential)
Higher than
Vaporization
Threshold, but
lower than
NPSHA
Minimum NPSHA must be > NPSHR
+ a safety factor
CAVITATION
CAVITATION
NPSH
NPSHR
NPSHR
NPSHR Curve
NPSHA
NPSHA - Net Positive Suction Head Available is unique for each specific
application and operating condition.
NPSHA - Consists of 5 variables.
1. Gas Pressure - Atmospheric or closed system - (Positive, Pa)
2. Distance of the fluid source above (positive) or below (negative) the pump
suction inlet (He)
3. Suction plumbing friction loss (Negative, Hf)
4. Vapor Pressure (Liquid Temperature Sensitive) - (Negative, Pv)
5. Specific Gravity (S.G.)
Positives prevent cavitation
Negatives promote cavitation
Pressure
Elevation
NPSHA
NPSHA
Friction
Friction Loss
Exponential
Flow Linear
Friction loss in
pipes
NPSHA
4. Vapor Pressure, at any given temperature is
Hot
Cold
Affect of
Temperature
On Inlet Pressure
NPSHA
5. Specific Gravity - If the specific gravity is < or > 1.0, the atmospheric
pressure - vapor pressure must be adjusted.
NPSHA
NPSHA = 2.31 * (Pa Pv) +/- He Hf
Specific Gravity
CR8-80
500.00
Actual 46 GPM
@ 336 Ft.
Feet of Head
400.00
300.00
Check It
With WinCAPS!
Desired 45 GPM
@ 324 Ft.
200.00
100.00
0.00
0.00
20.00
40.00
GPM
60.00
NPSHR Curve
Properties of Water
Approximately how long could the feed pipe be extended if the lost per 100 feet
of the 2 pipe was 3.9 feet? What could you do to increase the distance and
not cause cavitation?