CAVITATION
When a liquid boils in the suction line or suction nozzle of a pump, it is said to be “flashing” or “cavitating” (forming cavities of gas in the liquid).This occurs when the pressure acting on the liquid is below the vapor pressure of the liquid.
Cavitation can create havoc with pumps and pumping systems in the form of vibration and noise. Bearing failure, shaft breakage, pitting on the impeller, and mechanical seal leakage are some of the problems caused by cavitation.
The damage occurs when these cavities or bubbles pass to a higher pressure region of the pump, usually just past the vane tips at the impeller “eye,” and then collapse or “implode.”
Very informative blog for Chemical Engineers.
ReplyDeleteKeep it up.