Cavitation Can Be a Serious Problem

Pump cavitation can cause severe problems to a pump if not addressed and corrected. To understand the cause of cavitation you need to understand the pressure temperature relationship of the liquid in the loop (typically water or water/glycol mix). As the water passes through the pump it changes pressure from the suction side to the discharge side of the pump. If the waters static pressure drops too much vapor is created causing tiny bubbles in the water or fluid in the loop passing through the pump. These bubbles are unstable and collapse causing severe turbulence inside the bearing assembly where the impellor is located and can damage the impellor. Cavitation is often occurring when one hears popping and crackling noises passing through pump. Cavitation can also sound like the pump is pumping rocks through the impellor. These abnormal noises are the result of these tiny bubbles collapsing. As these bubbles are forming the pump loses its ability to create the necessary head to continue circulating the fluid through the loop. Solve the problem of and the noises go away along with extended life of the pumping system. Continue reading “Hydronic Pump Cavitation” »