Design method of supercavitating pumps

Abstract

The problem of effective supercavitating (SC) pump is solved, and optimum load distribution along the radius of the blade is found taking into account clearance, degree of cavitation development, influence of finite number of blades, and centrifugal forces. Sufficient accuracy can be obtained using the equivalent flat SC-grid for design of any SC-mechanisms, applying the “grid effect” coefficient and substituting the skewed flow calculated for grids of flat plates with the infinite attached cavitation caverns. This article gives the universal design method and provides an example of SC-pump design.