ABSTRACT
Transporting liquids to and from process equipment is an integral part of water treatment and distribution technology. Energy requirements depend on the height through which the fluid is mixed, the length and diameter of the transporting conduits, the rate of flow, and the fluid’s physical properties (in particular, viscosity and density). Major types of pumps used in process plant applications are centrifugal, axial, regenerative turbine, reciprocating, metering, and rotary. These classes are grouped under one of two categories: dynamic pumps or positive displacement pumps. Cavitation in centrifugal pumps arises from high velocities or when handling hot liquids under conditions of vaporization. It is a phenomenon caused by the formation and collapse of vapor cavities existing in a flowing liquid. Vapor cavities can form at any point in the fluid at which the local pressure approaches that of the liquid vapor pressure (at the operating temperature).
