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What is cavitation?

In this article, we're going to take a look at the phenomenon of cavitation. This chemical process can, in some cases, damage your hydraulic equipment. It is therefore important to be well informed and to learn how to avoid it in order to preserve your equipment. The phenomenon is characterised by the appearance and disappearance of air bubbles in liquids.

It is important to note that the higher the speed at which a liquid circulates, the lower the pressure. If the velocity is very high, the static pressure falls below the evaporation pressure of the fluid and gas bubbles form in the fluid, which suddenly implode in the hollow parts when the static pressure increases.

What are the consequences of this phenomenon for the equipment?

Although the appearance of bubbles seems harmless, cavitation, if not avoided, can damage your equipment. What are the long-term consequences? This can happen in several ways:

  • Cavitation will cause turbulence that will lead to a deterioration in pump performance, with an estimated drop in efficiency of around 3%.
  • The vibrations caused by cavitation will make noise
  • The bursting of bubbles along the walls will damage the surface of the pipes, again resulting in a loss of performance. For example, with a reduction in the precision of fluid distribution.

How can cavitation be avoided?

It's important to remain vigilant in order to protect your equipment. For example, all hydraulic pumps operate by causing variations in pressure. This process is essential for circulating a liquid in a pipe. They are therefore affected by cavitation. It is the bursting of the bubbles formed by cavitation that will damage the equipment. What can be done to avoid cavitation?

The first thing to do is to observe the warning signs. Cavitation depends on many factors, such as the viscosity of the fluid, vapour pressure, density, temperature, hydraulic lift, atmospheric pressure and the type and speed of the pump. When the pressure at the pump inlet is reduced, the cavitation phenomenon is amplified, producing pump fluctuations, loud noise and sometimes cloudy fluid at the pump outlet.

A few tips for containing this phenomenon

The main aim is to keep the liquid pressure below saturation pressure. To do this, you can use a series or multistage pump, or a submersible pump. If this is not possible, then place your pump at the lowest possible level. You can also reduce the temperature of the liquid, or choose to reduce the flow rate through the pump.

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