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Question View this Question Online >
Cavitation in turbines affects turbines in the following ways except
This qu
ca@psc
April 201
tion was previously asked in
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1. Irregular collapse of vapour cavities
2. Vibration of turbine parts
3. loss of turbine material
4, reduction in efficiency of turbine
5. excessive heating of water
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)
Option 5 : excessive heating of water
Detailed Solution
Explanation:
Cavitation:+ Cavitation is the phenomenon of formation of vapour bubbles of a flowing liquid in a region
where the pressure of the liquid falls below the vapour pressure of the fluid and sudden collapsing
of these bubbles in the region of higher pressure.
+ Cavitation starts only when the pressure of the liquid falls below the vapour pressure of that
liquid.
+ The hydraulic machines subjected to cavitation are reaction turbines and centrifugal pumps.
+ In order to determine whether cavitation will occur in any portion of the suction side of the pump,
the critical value of Thoma's cavitation factor is calculated.
+ Cavitation in turbines affects turbine's irregular collapse of vapour cavities, Vibration of turbine
parts, loss of tutbine material, reduction in efficiency of turbine.
Thoma’s cavitation parameter (a):
It is the ratio of Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) to the total head.
NPSH: It is defined as the net head developed at the suction port of the pump, in excess of the head
due to the vapor pressure of the liquid at the temperature in the pump. NPSH must be positive for
preventing the liquid from boiling, Boiling or cavitations may damage the pump. If NPSH reaches zero
then the liquid starts boiling and cavitation starts.
Cavitation in Centrifugal Pump:
+ In centrifugal pumps, the cavitation may occur at the inlet of the impeller of the pump or at the
suction side of the pumps, where the pressure is considerably reduced. So to avoid cavitation
pressure on the suction side should be high
+ Cavitation also occurs in reciprocating pumps if there is a high-velocity suction or discharge.
Effects of cavitation:
+ The metallic surfaces are damaged and cavities are formed on the surfaces.
+ Due to the sudden collapse of the vapor bubble, considerable noise and vibrations are produced
+ Due to cavitation, the metal of the runner vanes and the draft tube is gradually eaten away, which
results in lowering the efficiency of the turbine.