Effects of Flow Coefficient on Two-Bladed Inducer Alternate Blade Cavitation

Abstract

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the effects of flow coefficient on two-bladed inducer alternate blade cavitation. Three flow coefficients (0.051, 0.057, and 0.062) and five cavitation number (0.070, 0.085, 0.100, 0.115, and 0.130) at each flow coefficient are studied. Five unsteady pressure transducers, four pneumatic pressure sensors, and a high-speed camera have been used for flow characterization. As flow coefficient decreases from 0.057 to 0.051, the cavitation number at which the maximum magnitude of alternate blade cavitation occurs and the maximum magnitude of alternate blade cavitation both increase. As flow coefficient increases from 0.057 to 0.062, the same trend appears. The cavitation number at which the maximum magnitude of alternate blade cavitation occurs and the maximum magnitude of alternate blade cavitation both increase.