What is cavitation in centrifugal pump? How do you mean by NPSH?

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Accepted Answer

Cavitation is the formation of vapor bubbles in a centrifugal pump due to low pressure. NPSH stands for Net Positive Suction Head.

Cavitation occurs when the pressure at the pump inlet drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid, causing the formation of vapor bubbles.
These vapor bubbles collapse when they reach higher pressure areas, leading to damage to the pump impeller and reduced pump performance.
Cavitation can be prevented by ensuring the pump's Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) is greater than the required NPSH for the pump.
NPSH is a measure of the pressure available at the pump inlet to prevent cavitation. It takes into account factors like the pump design, fluid properties, and system conditions.
If the available NPSH is lower than the required NPSH, cavitation can occur, resulting in decreased pump efficiency and potential damage.

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