Numerical prediction and experimental evaluation of cavitation inception on centrifugal pump impellers

A procedure, based on a simplified Quasi 3-D flow analysis, is proposed to predict the cavitation inception on centrifugal pump impellers. The effects due to the impeller geometry and the incidence angle are described and discussed. The merits of the present formulation are demonstrated by comparison with measured values as well as with other published relations. Design and off-design NPSH values predicted with the procedure here proposed appears to be in close agreement with experimental observations.