The cavitation effect is very harmful to the equipment. If in your pumping equipment, namely in centrifugal pumps, you hear a crack, clicks, then it is highly likely that the equipment works with the effect of cavitation, which will lead to an early breakdown of the equipment. Or there is air in the system, which in the pump also causes a destructive physical phenomenon.
Inexpensive pumps of good firms are capable of working for a long time, for example, in heating systems. But sometimes such equipment quickly fails, regardless of the company and the price tag.
It turns out that with an incorrectly calculated system, an interesting physical phenomenon arises that makes the water boil for a fraction of a second and then return to its previous state.
Cavitation (from lat. cavitas - emptiness) - the physical process of the formation of bubbles (cavities, or voids) in liquid media, followed by their collapse and the release of a large amount of energy, which is accompanied by noise and hydraulic blows.
ru.wikipedia.org
Where does cavitation come from?
Figuratively speaking, the pump is divided into two parts: the suction part, with "vacuum" and the supply part, with increased pressure. In the "wrong" system in the suction line, due to excessive vacuum, air bubbles can be extracted from the liquid, "boiling" occurs. This process takes place on the rotor blades, which rotate to change the pressure to increased. Compressing bubbles "explode" with great local force.
According to some reports, the energy from the collapse of the bubbles reaches 7000 bar, a huge figure.
These bubbles, being on the surface of the blades and walls, destroy them. And if the system has a high oxygen saturation, then the degradation process is accelerated due to the powerful oxidative effect of this element. Therefore, the liquid poured into the heating must be constant for many years, without admixture. A pipeline and equipment with an oxygen barrier.
Avoiding the effect of cavitation in pumping technology
The first step is to monitor the cleanliness of the coarse filter in front of the injection pump, if this is not done, then the vacuum in the suction line will be increased. Do not narrow pipe sections in front of the pump. Monitor pressure in closed systems. It is recommended to install an expansion tank for the heating system in front of the pump.
That is, it is necessary to take measures so that in the suction part of the pump, the pressure does not drop to the level of formation of cavitation bubbles