Guidelines for prevention of cavitation in centrifugal feedpumps

Technical Report · Wed Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5388987

Gulich, J F ^[1]

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1. Sulzer Bros. Ltd., Winterthur (Switzerland)

Unscheduled outstages and deratings caused by problems with feed pumps cost utilities an estimated $460 million in replacement power costs in 1985. Cavitation is one of the leading causes of feed pump failures. This report describes the factors influencing cavitation erosion and presents two correlations developed to predict erosion rates in pumps. Based on field and laboratory data two correlations were developed to predict cavitation erosion rates in feed pump impellers. Key to the success was the derivation of suitable similarity parameters which combine the different factors determining metal loss due to cavitation. One correlation is based on data which can be obtained from shop flow visualization tests and the other correlation is based on acoustic data which can be obtained during shop or field tests. The correlations developed permit predicting impeller lifetimes and assessing the relative benefits of design improvements before installing the pumps in the field. Feed pump suction conditions can be related to impeller life, a parameter which has meaning to the utility. The impact of decisions regarding plant design and operation can be assessed with these correlations. 29 refs., 51 figs., 7 tabs.

• Research Organization: Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Sulzer Bros. Ltd., Winterthur (Switzerland)
• Sponsoring Organization: EPRI
• OSTI ID: 5388987
• Report Number(s): EPRI-GS-6398
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200104* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Components
CAVITATION
CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS
DOCUMENT TYPES
EROSION
FAILURES
FEEDWATER
FLOW RATE
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROGRESS REPORT
PUMPS
RELIABILITY
WATER
WATER PUMPS