Acoustic diagnosis of cavitation for centrifugal pumps of different materials

Abstract EN

Cavitation has destructive effects on pumps.

It causes mechanical damage, decreases discharge and efficiency and increases noise and vibration.

Therefore it must be detected during pump operation to find a way to eliminate it.

This study concentrates on the effect of impeller material on cavitation and its effect on the acoustic emission level.

Three different impeller materials are tested; stainless steel, brass and plastic.

Cavitation is detected by analyzing sound spectrum.

The experimental results show that the plastic impeller gives the lowest sound level compared to the stainless and the brass materials.

It is also evident that the amplitudes of the high frequency range of sound spectrum are affected by the impeller material during normal operation of the pump.

Cavitation results in further increase in the sound amplitudes in the high frequency range.