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CAVITATION
Explanatory and
detailed
explanation of the
cavitation
phenomenon

CAVITATION
BY: Explanatory and
➢ YOUSSEF MOHAMED RASHAD 18012136
detailed
➢ Instructor:
MOHAMED MOHAMED ISMAEL 17011722 explanation of
➢ MOHAMED NAZEH ABDELBADIE 18015059 Prof.Dr. ISLAM REDA
➢ MAHMOUD MOHAMED BARAKAT 17011838the cavitation
➢ MAHMOUD MOHAMED MAHMOUD 17011855 phenomenon
CAVITATION INSTRUCTOR: PROF.DR ISLAM REDA
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CAVITATION
Abstract:

This article contains an explanatory and detailed explanation of the cavitation phenomenon. Cavitation is a
phenomenon in which rapid changes of pressure in a liquid lead to the formation of small vapor-filled cavities in place
where the pressure is relatively low, and it contains two types:

• Inertial cavitation

• Non-inertial cavitation

CONTENTS:
Introduction:
• Essential types of
Cavitation is the phenomenon of formation of a vapor bubble in the flowing liquid
cavitation.
where the pressure falls below vapor pressure and sudden collapsing of this bubble
• Mechanism of at high-pressure region. Cavitation usually the result of rapid changes of pressure
cavitation. of the liquid. The cavitation causes erosion of the surface as well as noise and
vibrations. The cavitation occurs in pumps, orifice, venturi-meter, control valve and
• Cavitation damage.
impeller.
• Avoidance. Consider a flowing liquid system, if the pressure of the flowing liquid in the system
becomes less or equal the vapor pressure, the liquid starts to boil and vaporize. The
• Disadvantages of
bubbles formed due to vaporization then carried along the flowing liquid. This
Cavitation.
vapor bubble reaches the region of high pressure and then collapse, producing
• Advantages and shock wave. Since the shock waves formed by collapse of the voids are strong
enough to cause significant damage to parts, cavitation is typically an undesirable
Applications. phenomenon in machinery (although desirable if intentionally used, for example,
to sterilize contaminated surgical instruments, break down pollutants in water
• Conclusion.
purification systems, emulsify tissue for cataract surgery or kidney stone lithotripsy,
or homogenize fluids). It is very often specifically avoided in the design of machines
• References.
such as turbines or propellers, and eliminating cavitation is a major field in the study
of fluid dynamics. However, it is sometimes useful and does not cause damage
when the bubbles collapse away from machinery, such as in super-cavitation.

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1. Essential types of cavitation:

1.1 Inertial cavitation

Inertial cavitation happens when the diameter of the bubble grows to at least twice its original diameter,
generally during a single cycle of acoustic pressure. The bubble then collapses violently driven by the inertia
of the fluid potentially fragmenting into many smaller bubbles. Inertial cavitation was first observed in the
late 19th century, considering the collapse of a spherical void within a liquid. When a volume of liquid is
subjected to a sufficiently low pressure, it may rupture and form a cavity. A fast-flowing river can cause
cavitation on rock surfaces, particularly when there is a drop-off, such as on a waterfall.

1.2 Non-inertial cavitation

Non-inertial cavitation is the process in which small bubbles in a liquid are forced to oscillate in the presence
of an acoustic field, when the intensity of the acoustic field is insufficient to cause total bubble collapse. Such
cavitation is often employed in ultrasonic cleaning baths and can also be observed in pumps, propellers.

2. Mechanism of cavitation:

2.1 The physical process of cavitation:

The physical process of cavitation

inception is like boiling. The major
difference between the two is the
thermodynamic paths that precede the
formation of the vapor. Boiling occurs
when the local temperature of the liquid
reaches the saturation temperature, and further heat is supplied to allow the liquid to sufficiently phase
change into a gas. Cavitation inception occurs when the local pressure falls sufficiently far below the saturated
vapor pressure, a value given by the tensile strength of the liquid at a certain temperature. For cavitation
inception to occur, the cavitation "bubbles" generally need a surface on which they can nucleate. This surface
can be provided by the sides of a container, by impurities in the liquid, or by small undissolved micro-bubbles
within the liquid. It is generally accepted that hydrophobic surfaces stabilize small ‫م‬bubbles. These pre-existing
bubbles start to grow unbounded when they are exposed to a pressure below the threshold pressure, termed
Blake's threshold. The vapor pressure here differs from the meteorological definition of vapor pressure, which
describes the partial pressure of water in the atmosphere at some value less than 100% saturation. Vapor
pressure as relating to cavitation refers to the vapor pressure in equilibrium conditions and can therefore be
more accurately defined as the equilibrium (or saturated) vapor pressure.

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2.2 Bubble formation:(1)

A bubble can be produced in many ways: by vaporous growth due to low ambient pressure, as in propeller
cavitation, by low pressures due to viscous stresses as occurs in the synovial liquid in your knees when you
rapidly stretch these, by introducing locally high energy in the liquid, for example with a laser pulse, or by
strong acoustical beams as in machines that pulverize kidney stones. In all these cases bubbles grow first,
usually from microscopic size, and finally collapse due to the return of high pressure in their vicinity. The
pressure developed due to sudden collapsing of vapor bubble is very high. The surface above where the bubble
collapse subjected to high pressure. The adjoining boundaries or surface is subjected to high stress and
materials from the surface get eroded. Eventually form cavities on the boundaries.

Figure (): Bubble formation

3. Cavitation damage: (2)

Cavitation is, as a rule, a bothersome event. In gadgets, for
example, propellers and siphons, cavitation causes a lot of
commotion, harm to segments, vibrations, and a deficiency of
proficiency. Cavitation has additionally become a worry in the
sustainable power area as it might happen on the edge surface
of flowing stream turbines. At the point when the cavitation
bubbles breakdown, the power vigorous fluid into little
volumes, along these lines making spots of high temperature
and emanating stun waves, the last of which are a wellspring of commotion. The commotion made by
cavitation is a specific issue for military submarines, as it builds the odds of being recognized by aloof sonar.

In spite of the fact that the breakdown of a little hole is a moderately low-energy occasion, profoundly
restricted breakdowns can disintegrate metals, for example, steel, over time.[27] The pitting brought about
by the breakdown of pits produces extraordinary wear on segments and can drastically abbreviate a
propeller's or siphon's lifetime.

(1): Simulation video is here

(2): Explanatory video here

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After a surface is at first influenced by cavitation, it will in general disintegrate at a quickening pace. The
cavitation pits increment the disturbance of the liquid stream and make fissure that go about as nucleation
locales for extra cavitation bubbles. The pits likewise increment the parts' surface territory and abandon
lingering stresses. This makes the surface more inclined to pressure consumption.

3.1 Pumps and propellers:

Major places where cavitation occurs are in pumps, on

propellers, or at restrictions in a flowing liquid. As an
impeller's (in a pump) or propeller's (as in the case of a ship
or submarine) blades move through a fluid, low-pressure
areas are formed as the fluid accelerates around and moves
past the blades. The faster the blade moves, the lower the
pressure can become around it. As it reaches vapor
pressure, the fluid vaporizes and forms small bubbles of gas.
This is cavitation. When the bubbles collapse later, they typically cause very strong local shock waves in the
fluid, which may be audible and may even damage the blades.

Cavitation in pumps may occur in two different forms:

3.2 Suction cavitation:

Suction cavitation occurs when the pump suction is under a

low-pressure/high-vacuum condition where the liquid turns
into a vapor at the eye of the pump impeller. This vapor is
carried over to the discharge side of the pump, where it no
longer sees vacuum and is compressed back into a liquid by
the discharge pressure. This imploding action occurs
violently and attacks the face of the impeller. An impeller
that has been operating under a suction cavitation condition
can have large chunks of material removed from its face or
very small bits of material removed, causing the impeller to
look spongelike. Both cases will cause premature failure of the pump, often due to bearing failure. Suction
cavitation is often identified by a sound like gravel or marbles in the pump casing.

Common causes of suction cavitation can include clogged filters, pipe blockage on the suction side, poor piping
design, pump running too far right on the pump curve, or conditions not meeting NPSH (net positive suction
head) requirement in automotive applications, a clogged filter in a hydraulic system (power steering, power

CAVITATION INSTRUCTOR: PROF.DR ISLAM REDA

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brakes) can cause suction cavitation making a noise that rises and falls in synch with engine RPM.

It is fairly often a high-pitched whine, like set of nylon gears not quite meshing correctly.

3.3 Typical causes of suction cavitation:

• Pump is running too far right on the pump curve

• Poor suction conditions (NPSH requirements)

• Blockage in the pipe on suction side

• Inappropriate piping design

• Clogged filters or strainers

4. Avoidance:

To prevent this type of cavitation, the Net Positive Suction Head available (NPSHa) in the system must
be higher than the required NPSH of the pump. This problem is typical for suction cavitation and therefore
this type of cavitation is also called inadequate NPSHa cavitation.

Besides the change of the pump, problems with suction cavitation can be also solved by:

1. Lowering the temperature

2. Reduction of motor RPM if possible

3. Increase of the diameter of the eye of the impeller.

4. Use of an impeller inducer.

5. Use of two parallel pumps with lower capacity.

CAVITATION INSTRUCTOR: PROF.DR ISLAM REDA
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6. Use of a booster pump to feed the principal pump.

Special case of cavitation occurs at the suction side as a result of inappropriate piping in suction line. Use of
restrictions, sharp elbows and other hydraulic equipment can tribalize this can contribute to cavitation
formation.

5. Disadvantages of Cavitation:
Cavitation is, in many cases, an undesirable occurrence. In devices such as propellers and pumps, cavitation causes
a great deal of noise, damage to components, vibrations, and a loss of efficiency. Cavitation has also become a
concern in the renewable energy sector as it may occur on the blade surface of tidal stream turbines.
When the cavitation bubbles collapse, they force energetic liquid into very small volumes, thereby creating spots
of high temperature and emitting shock waves, the latter of which are a source of noise. The noise created by
cavitation is a particular problem for military submarines, as it increases the chances of being detected by passive
sonar.
Although the collapse of a small cavity is a relatively low-energy event, highly localized collapses can erode metals,
such as steel, over time the pitting caused by the collapse of cavities produces great wear on components and can
dramatically shorten a propeller's or pump's lifetime After a surface is initially affected by cavitation, the cavitation
pits increase the turbulence of the fluid flow and create crevices that act as nucleation sites for additional
cavitation bubbles. The pits also increase the components' surface area and leave behind residual stresses. This
makes the surface more prone to stress corrosion.

Cavitation generates high impact forces which affect the working part badly.

• It generates several noises and vibrations which causes extra damage of mechanical components.

• It reduces the life of the components.

• Fatigue failure in the hydraulic components is seen because of the cavitation.

• When the large number of bubbles with high pressure strikes to the surface of running part then erosion
and surface pitting occurs which leads to damage the running components.

6. Advantages and Applications:

There are many applications and devices that are used in many fields, all of which fall under the cavitation theory,
including:

6.1 Ultrasonic cleaning baths:(3)

ultrasonic is a process that uses ultrasound usually from
{20–40 kHz} to agitate a fluid. Cleaning normally lasts
between three and six minutes, but can also exceed 20
minutes, depending on which object must be cleaned.

Ultrasonic cleaners are used to clean many different

types of objects, including jewelry, scientific samples,
lenses and other optical parts, watches, dental, coins.

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6.2 The homogenize by cavitation:(4)

Cavitation process uses to homogenize and mix the
suspended particles in colloidal liquids and collapse of a
cavitation bubble near the boundary of phase separation of
a liquid–solid particle in suspension results in the breakup of
the suspension particles: A dispersion process takes place.
An emulsify cation and homogenization process takes place.
Thus, the use of kinetic energy from collapsing cavitation
bubbles and cavities, produced by hydro-dynamic means,
can be used for various mixing, emulsifying, homogenizing,
and dispersing processes, and is called Controlled Flow
Cavitation (Five Star Technologies, Cleveland, OH).

6.3 Hydrodynamic cavitation wastewater treatment:(5)

One of the major challenges facing mankind today is to provide clean

water to a vast majority of the population around the world. The
treatment of wastewater prior to discharge and its reuse have
become absolute necessities. CTi put a substantial R&D effort into
designing a patent-pending Cavitation and Electrocoagulation
System for wastewater treatment. In the electrocoagulation process,
the coagulant is generated in situ by electrolytic oxidation of an
appropriate anode material. The introduced highly charged
polymeric metal hydroxide species neutralize the electrostatic
charges on suspended solids and oil droplets to facilitate
agglomeration and resultant separation from the aqueous phase.
The simultaneous action of advanced hydrodynamic nano cavitation, electrocoagulation and active chemical species
formed in situ provide a unique synergistic effect resulting in a high-efficiency purification process. The System can
remove heavy metals, fats, oil, grease, complex organics, bacteria, viruses and cysts, and suspended and colloidal
solids breaking oil emulsions in water and processing multiple contaminants.

(3) Simulation video here and here.

(4) simulation video here and here.

(5) simulation video here.

CAVITATION INSTRUCTOR: PROF.DR ISLAM REDA

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6.4 The performance of high-speed marines' vessel and

projectiles:(6)
Cavitation, its causes and effects, has been the subject of a major
research effort in the past, both as a general problem in hydrodynamics
and as an undesirable property.

But the cavity showed a strong effect on the performance of the marine
propeller and the trend towards the largest and fastest marine
transportation. It appeared again as a factor that could have great
significance in influencing the design philosophy of the propulsion
engineer. This philosophy will always be to take advantage of the most
advanced developments in materials and manufacturing processes, but
in the end the problem is related to the design and not in the fan alone,
but the fan is an integral part of the concept of propulsion, which
consists of the shape of the structure, machines, operation and impact
on the environment.

(6) simulation video here .

7. Conclusion:
Cavitation is the phenomenon of formation of a vapor bubble in the flowing liquid where the pressure falls below
vapor pressure and sudden collapsing of this bubble at high-pressure region.

After a surface is at first influenced by cavitation, it will in general disintegrate at a quickening pace. The cavitation pits
increment the disturbance of the liquid stream and make fissure that go about as nucleation locales for extra cavitation
bubbles.

Cavitation generates high impact forces which affect the working part badly.

Suction cavitation occurs when the pump suction is under a low-pressure/high-vacuum condition where the liquid
turns into a vapor at the eye of the pump impeller.

To prevent this type of cavitation, the Net Positive Suction Head available (NPSHa) in the system must be higher
than the required NPSH of the pump. This problem is typical for suction cavitation and therefore this type of cavitation
is also called inadequate NPSHa cavitation.

Regardless of the fact that cavitation has many damages and may cause disasters, it has many advantages, as we
mentioned, as it is used in more than one field and has proven its effectiveness, both in the field of medicine and the
use of sound waves emanating from the strength of the vibrations or in the fields of war and the manufacture of
marine missiles and fast-moving torpedoes or even in Huge ships or submarines.

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13. science credit.

14. springer.

15. Research gate.

CAVITATION INSTRUCTOR: PROF.DR ISLAM REDA