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Cavitation problem in centrifugal pumps

2017-05-23View Original

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I came across this sentence in an article: \"Based on the thermodynamic factors of cavitation, for the same pump, when the NPSHa is the same, the higher the water temperature, the less likely cavitation will occur.\" Liquids other than water, such as hydrocarbons, are less prone to cavitation even than normal water. ” I’m not sure if this is correct – the higher the temperature of water, the easier it is for it to vaporize, and the easier it is to vaporize, the more likely cavitation will occur. So why is it said here that cavitation is less likely to occur? To all fellow sailors who understand design, could someone please explain this? This is the entire content of that section of the article: Engineering Case 4: Why cavitation did not occur in the OH2 type single-suction pumps used in high-flow, high-temperature pumps with low NPSHa values. In two BDO production plants with an annual output of 100,000 tons each, there were 16 high-flow, high-temperature medium circulation pumps in total, 4 of each type; the difference between NPSHa and NPSH3 was sufficient to meet the requirements for preventing cavitation, so low-cost OH2 type single-suction pumps were chosen. It was later found that if the baseline for NPSHa was raised to the centerline of the pump shaft, the requirements for cavitation prevention could no longer be met. To address this concern, the calculation of NPSHa specific to the system was reexamined, and it was found that the NPSHa values provided by the system team were quite conservative. As proven by industrial operation, there is no need to worry about the cavitation performance of these high-flow OH2 type pumps. In many of our projects, we have found that the excess amount of NPSHa is quite large. The reasons for this are: (1) In the professional calculations of NPSHa carried out by engineering companies, the lowest liquid level of the pump’s suction side equipment assumed is sometimes lower than the low-alarm level indicated by the liquid level transmitter ;   (2) In the calculation of NPSHa, the pressure drop in the pump’s suction pipeline is based on the rated flow rate; if the rated flow rate is 1.1 times the normal flow rate, this pressure drop increases to 1.21 times, resulting in a decrease in NPSHa, whereas the actual NPSHa during operation should increase (? ? ? Why is this? ? ? ) ;   (3) The mechanical equipment team calculates it using the formula \"NPSHa = pump inlet pressure minus vaporization pressure divided by the specific gravity of the medium, plus a safety margin\", and finds that the safety margin for NPSHa in the system team is sometimes much larger than 0.6 m.   Furthermore, NPSH3 is the required net positive suction head determined through tests at room temperature, corresponding to a 3% loss in head (the head of the first stage in multi-stage pumps); this value is generally 0.3 m higher than the critical net positive suction head at which cavitation begins.   Based on the thermodynamic factors of cavitation, for the same pump, when NPSHa is constant, higher water temperatures make cavitation less likely to occur. Liquids other than water, such as hydrocarbons, are less prone to cavitation even than normal water. According to API 610 standards, this allowance is also not taken into account.   Therefore, engineering companies should prevent NPSHa from being overly conservative or incorrect from the outset, creating conditions to use OH2 single-suction pumps instead of BB2 double-suction pumps as much as possible in order to minimize the use of slow-speed pumps, thereby optimizing pump selection and reducing project costs.
Reply #22017-05-23
  (2) In the calculation of NPSHa, the pressure drop in the pump’s suction pipeline is based on the rated flow rate; if the rated flow rate is 1.1 times the normal flow rate, this pressure drop increases to 1.21 times, resulting in a decrease in NPSHa, whereas the actual NPSHa during operation should increase (? ? ? Why is this? ? ? ) ; When the flow rate is low, the inlet pressure loss is usually small, and the NPSHa value is slightly higher. According to the thermodynamic principles related to cavitation, for the same pump, when the NPSHa value remains constant, higher water temperatures make cavitation less likely to occur. Liquids other than water, such as hydrocarbons, are less prone to cavitation even than normal water. Here is a major premise: when NPSHa is the same. Generally, as the water temperature rises, NPSHa decreases; to maintain a constant NPSHa, the inlet pressure needs to be increased. This statement has significant limitations; it seems to be rarely used in actual operational conditions. For more details, you can take a look at the articles he cited; I see he has a “【1】” citation marker.
Reply #32017-05-23
The article is from the internet; the citation could not be found, and it’s unknown where it comes from. With your explanation, I basically understand it. Thank you! !
Reply #42017-05-23
I really can’t understand it; what’s the logic behind it?
Reply #52017-05-23
I can’t understand it; it’s clearly different from what’s described in the book
Reply #62017-05-23
This is different from the one on the internet.
Reply #72017-05-23
Perhaps it’s just theory, and it differs from reality.
Reply #82017-05-23
What is NPSHA? It’s hard to understand if you don’t know it
Reply #92017-05-23
Find out what net positive suction head is? In simple terms, cavitation occurs when the medium entering turns directly into vapor.

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