Analytical Study of Cavitation Surge in a Hydraulic System

Abstract

In order to clarify effects of an accumulator, pipe lengths and gradients of pressure and suction performances on cavitation surge, one-dimensional stability analyses of cavitation surge were performed in hydraulic systems consisting of an upstream tank, an inlet pipe, a cavitating pump, a downstream pipe, and a downstream tank. An accumulator located upstream or downstream of the cavitating pump was included in the analysis. Increasing the distance between the upstream accumulator and the cavitating pump enlarged the stable region. On the other hand, decreasing the distance between the downstream accumulator and the cavitating pump enlarged the stable region. Furthermore, the negative gradient of a suction performance curve and the positive gradient of a pressure performance curve cause cavitation surge.