CAVITATION APPARATUS

Foreword

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quality construction of each equipment we manufacture.

This manual explains the working of equipment. Please read it thoroughly and have all the
occupants follow the instructions carefully. Doing so will help you enjoy many years of safe
and trouble free operation.

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and is interested in your complete satisfaction. We will provide the quality maintenance and
any other assistance you may require.

All the information and specifications in this manual are correct at the time of printing.
However, Because of K.C. Engineers policy of continual product improvement we reserve
the right to make changes at any time without notice.

Please note that this manual explains all about the equipment including options. Therefore
you may find some explanations for options not installed on your equipment.

You must follow the instructions and maintenance instructions given in the manual carefully
to avoid possible injury or damage. Proper maintenance will help ensure maximum
performance, greater reliability and longer life for the product.

K.C. Engineers
 Contents

1. Objective …………………………………… 1

2. Aim …………………………………… 1

3. Introduction …………………………………… 1

4. Theory …………………………………… 1

5. Description …………………………………… 2

6. Utilities Required …………………………………… 2

7. Experimental Procedure …………………………………… 2

8. Specification …………………………………… 3

9. Formulae …………………………………… 3

10. Observation & Calculation …………………………………… 4

11. Nomenclature …………………………………… 4

12. Precautions & Maintenance Instructions …………………………………… 5

13. Troubleshooting …………………………………… 5

14. References …………………………………… 5

Cavitation Apparatus
 CAVITATION APPARATUS

1. OBJECTIVE:

To observe the phenomenon of the cavitation.

2. AIM:

To compare the actual and theoretical cavitation number at cavitation condition.

3. INTRODUCTION:

Cavitation is the formation and collapse of vapor cavities in the flowing liquid. Such a
vapor cavity can form anywhere in the flowing liquid where the local pressure is reduced
to that of the liquid vapor pressure at the temperature of the flowing liquid. At these
locations some of the liquid vaporizes to form bubbles or cavities of vapor.
Cavitation is likely to occur on the inlet side of the pump particularly if the pump is
situated at the level well above the surface of the liquid in the supply tank. For the sake of
good efficiency and prevention of damage to the impeller, cavitation should be avoided.

4. THEORY:

Low pressure zone can be produced by a local increase in the velocity as in eddies and
vortices or by an overall reduction in static pressure. Collapse of the vapor will begin
when they are moved into the region where the local pressure is higher than the vapor
pressure. Collapse of these cavities may produce objectionable noise, vibration and
extensive erosion or pitting of the boundary material in the region of the bubble collapse.

In correlating equipment performance data, a useful parameter is the dimensionless

grouping called the Cavitation Number, which may be calculated as:

Cavitation Apparatus 1
 Where

p = static pressure in undisturbed flow

pv = liquid vapor pressure.
ρ = liquid density.
V = free stream velocity of the liquid.
Cavitation number can be considered as the ratio of net static pressure available to
collapse the bubble to the dynamic pressure available to initiate the formation of the
bubble.

5. DESCRIPTION:

The present experimental set-up has been designed to demonstrate the phenomenon of
cavitation. It consists of a test section having conversion and diversion section. Pressure
tapings at appropriate position are provided. This test section is having a control valve at
upstream side to regulate the water flow rate. Two pressure gauges are connected to the
tapings which give the pressure readout at the flow passing through the test section.
The unit is self contained close circuit type with sump tank, measuring tank and
centrifugal pump.

6. UTILITIES REQUIRED:

6.1 Electric Supply: single phase, 220 V AC, 15 Amp socket.

6.2 Water Supply: Initial Fill
6.3 Floor Drain.
6.4 Stop Watch.

7. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

7.1 Clean the apparatus and make it free from Dust.

7.2 To release the air from test section, start water supply to at maximum flow.
7.3 Regulate Flow of water through Test Section with the help of Valve provided at
the end of Test Section.
7.4 Observe the condition and measure flow rate of water by Measuring Tank and
Stop Watch provided.
7.5 Note the pressure at the two points of the test section.

Cavitation Apparatus 2
8. SPECIFICATION:

Test Section : Material Acrylic, throat Dia- 10 mm.

Pressure Gauge : Bourdon type, of compatible capacity.
Water circulation : Through pump.
Sump Tank : Material SS.
Measuring Tank : Material SS.
The whole set-up is well designed and arranged in a good quality painted structure.

9. FORMULAE:

Area

π
a 1=
2
d 1 , m 2.
4

π
a 2=
2
d 2 , m 2.
4

Theoretical Cavitation Number

 p 
 p1 − v  * 10
σc = 
760 
 ρV2 2 
 
 2 
 

Actual Cavitation Number,

 p 
 p1 − 2  * 10
σ=
760 
 ρV1 2 
 
 2 
 

Discharge,

,m

, m3/sec.

Cavitation Apparatus 3
 Velocity,

Qa
V1 = , m/s
a1

Qa
V2 = , m/s
a2

10. OBSERVATION & CALCULATION:

10.1 DATA:

A = 0.12589 m2
d1 = 32 mm
d2 = 10 mm
ρ = 1000 kg / m3
pv = 25 mm of Hg.

10.2 OBSERVATION TABLE:

Sr. R1 R2 Condition
p1, kg / cm2 p2, mm of Hg t (sec.)
No (cm) (cm) Observed

10.3 CALCULATION TABLE:

S. V1, V2, Condition

Q (m3/s) Condition
No. m / sec m /sec σ σc Calculated Observed

Theoretical condition for cavitation, σc ≤ σ

11. NOMENCLATURE:

A = Area of measuring tank, m2

Cavitation Apparatus 4
 a1 = Area of pipe, m2.
a2 = Area of throat of venturi meter, m2
d1 = Diameter of the pipe, m.
d2 = Diameter of throat of venturi meter, m.
P2 = pressure at throat section
p1 = Pressure at inlet of test section, kg/cm2.
p2 = Pressure at throat of test section, mm of Hg.
pv = Vapor pressure of flowing liquid, mm of Hg.
Qa = Discharge, m3/s.
R1 = Final level of water in measuring tank, cm
R2 = Initial level of water in measuring tank, cm
R = Rise of water level in measuring tank, m
t = Time taken for R (sec).
V1 = Velocity of the fluid at inlet of test section, m/s.
V2 = Velocity of the fluid at throat, m/s.
ρ = Liquid density, kg/m3.
σ = Cavitation number
σc = Theoretical cavitation number

12. PRECAUTION & MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS:

12.1 Always keep apparatus free from dust.

12.2 Always use clean water.
12.3 If apparatus is not in use for more than one month, drain the apparatus completely.

13. TROUBLESHOOTINGS:

13.1 If pump gets jam, open the back cover of pump and rotate the shaft manually.
13.2 If pump gets heat up, switch off the main power for 15 minutes and avoid closing
the flow control valve and by pass valve at a time.

14. REFERENCES:

14.1 Streeter, Wylie, “Fluid Mechanics”, P403-406 1st SI Metric ed., McGraw Hill,
NY, 1981, P 403 – 406.

Cavitation Apparatus 5
Cavitation Apparatus 6