Cavitation is more likely to occur in which pump condition?

Cavitation is more likely to occur in which pump condition?

• A. Submerged in wastewater
• B. No cavitation risk
• C. Suction lift condition
• D. High discharge pressure

Answer: (C)

Cavitation happens when the pressure at the pump’s suction falls below the liquid’s vapor pressure, causing vapor bubbles to form and then violently collapse inside the impeller. A suction lift condition makes this more likely because the pump has to draw water up from a lower level, which lowers the pressure at the suction inlet due to static head and friction losses. When that inlet pressure gets too low, vapor bubbles form and can damage the pump as they implode. Being submerged in wastewater increases the inlet pressure from the surrounding water, which helps prevent cavitation rather than promoting it. The statement “no cavitation risk” isn’t generally true, since cavitation can occur under many operating conditions if suction pressure falls too low. High discharge pressure doesn’t create low suction pressure on its own; cavitation is driven by the suction side conditions, so the suction lift scenario is the one most prone to it.

Cavitation happens when the pressure at the pump’s suction falls below the liquid’s vapor pressure, causing vapor bubbles to form and then violently collapse inside the impeller. A suction lift condition makes this more likely because the pump has to draw water up from a lower level, which lowers the pressure at the suction inlet due to static head and friction losses. When that inlet pressure gets too low, vapor bubbles form and can damage the pump as they implode.

Being submerged in wastewater increases the inlet pressure from the surrounding water, which helps prevent cavitation rather than promoting it. The statement “no cavitation risk” isn’t generally true, since cavitation can occur under many operating conditions if suction pressure falls too low. High discharge pressure doesn’t create low suction pressure on its own; cavitation is driven by the suction side conditions, so the suction lift scenario is the one most prone to it.