THE POSSIBILITY OF SIMULATING CAVITATION PHENOMENA IN TESTING CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS ON GASES,
Abstract
The possibility is discussed of modelling cavitation phenomena in bladed machinery by using gaseous substances. A sonic operating regime can be achieved by gradually reducing the gas temperature at a constant rpm and flow rate. In such cases, the pump cavitation qualities in model tests using gaseous media will be similar to those found in pumps using liquid media. Mathematical analyses of the cavitation at the inlet and outlet of centrifugal pump rotors indicate that conditions for cavitation formation are more favorable at the rotor inlet than at the outlet. In compressors, a supersonic velocity at the rotor exit does not produce a significant pressure drop, since the guide vanes are designed for such velocities. Apparently, substantial losses will occur at supersonic velocities in pumps provided with spiral volutes. For this reason, in testing pumps by using gaseous media, a pressure drop may occur when supersonic velocities occur aft of the rotor. It is quite possible that supersonic velocities in the spiral volute will not produce a sudden pressure drop. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 26, 1969
- Accession Number
- AD0687226
Entities
People
- N. S. Ershov
Organizations
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center