INVESTIGATION OF CAVITATION DAMAGE OF MECHANICAL PUMP IMPELLERS OPERATING IN LIQUID METAL SPACE POWER LOOPS. Quarterly Progress Report No. 2, October 1, 1963-December 31, 1963

Technical Report · Wed Jan 15 00:00:00 EST 1964

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/4103636· OSTI ID:4103636

Kulp, R. S.; Altieri, J. V.

Water testing of the RI-7C3 impeller in the Pt-2 test stand was completed. Still photographs and movies showed that a vortex was present on the leading edge tip of all blades at NPSH values up to 150 ft at all five test flows of 660, 680, 700, 720, and 740 gpm. Sound data showed a possible correlation with the cavitation performance of the impeller. The sound intensity increased until the tip vortices entered the flow channels and then decreased, reaching a minimum just before head loss occurred. As the head fell off, the sound intensity increased to a level as great or greater than the previous maximum. The TP-1 turbopump detail parts required to complete the assembly of the pump in its modified form were completed. The turbopump was assembled with the tested impeller and installed in the PT-4 water pump test stand. The pump was operated at low speed to assure proper seating of the seals and testing started. The PT-6 liquid metal test stand construction drawings were completed. Construction of the test stand was started by disassembling, cleaning, and acid pickling the entire loop piping. Reassembly of the test loop was started. (N.W.R.)

• Research Organization: Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Div., United Aircraft Corp.; Connecticut Aircraft Nuclear Engine Lab., Middletown
• DOE Contract Number: NAS3-2541
• NSA Number: NSA-18-012292
• OSTI ID: 4103636
• Report Number(s): CNLM-5205
• Resource Relation: Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 31-DEC-64
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

ENGINEERING
CAVITATION
CLEANING
COOLANT LOOPS
EQUATIONS
EROSION
FAILURES
FINS
FLUID FLOW
LIQUID FLOW
LIQUID METALS
MECHANICAL STRUCTURES
OPERATION
PHOTOGRAPHY
PIPES
POWER PLANTS
PUMPS
SEALS
SOUND
TESTING
TURBINES
TURBULENCE
VELOCITY
WATER
NESDPS Office of Nuclear Energy Space and Defense Power Systems