Cavitation Studies in Axial Inducers

Author: Nawoj, Henry John

Year: 1956

Degree: Engineer's thesis

Advisor: Acosta, Allan J.

Committee Member: Unknown, Unknown

Option: Aeronautics

DOI: 10.7907/FJCF-EC97

Abstract

Cavitation development was investigated in axial inducers from inception to impeller breakdown using the conventional hydraulic parameters and direct visual observation. Five distinct regimes of cavitation development were observed, and the noise and vibration associated with cavitating pumps was found to occur principally in only one regime of cavitation development. Cavitation in a highly cavitating inducer was found to be adequately modeled using the cavitation similarity number introduced by Prandtl. A simple model is presented for impeller breakdown and experimental data indicate that the general requirements for impeller breakdown given by the model are exhibited in the experimental impellers. A modification to the cavitation number is suggested to accommodate the effusion of dissolved gases from the working fluid into the cavities.

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