About cavitation
Describe cavitation and the threat it poses to water distribution systems.
When using InfoSurge, hydraulic transients, or surge events, can occur during partial or full valve closures, openings, and check valve operations.
Surge events can create vapor cavities, known as cavitation, in a distribution network.
Cavitation is the rapid formation and collapse of vapor pockets in areas of extremely low pressure.
Has potential to cause serious structural damage to network components like pipes and pumps.
Impellers are especially at risk—tend to be in areas of high velocity and low pressure.
Improper design or placement of surge protection devices (SPDs) may worsen the transient response of a network.
For example, incorrect orifice size in a valve can cause it to release air too quickly, causing air slam.
Need to understand and verify SPD operation to make sure a proposed design works properly under surge conditions.
Due to the extremely damaging nature of cavitation, it is important to avoid it at all costs.
A good portion of any surge analysis should focus on designing surge protection systems that prevent cavitation.