Cavitation in Axial Flow Pumps: Termination Report

Abstract

A series of cavitation experiments in an axial flow pump are described. It is found that cavitation first occurs in a tip vortex formed by the flow through the tip clearance space of the rotor blade. The effect of tip clearance and several cavitation suppression devices are shown. The schemes tested were rigid end plates attached to the blade ends, strings, and a continuous rotor shroud. Of these, the shroud appears to delay the inception of tip cavitation best for axial flow pumps.

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