Vibration Analysis Of Cavitation In A Centrifugal Pump

Lee, Yuk Choi and Ahadlin, Mohd Daud and Shamsul Anuar, Shamsudin (2007) Vibration Analysis Of Cavitation In A Centrifugal Pump. Project Report. UTeM, Melaka, Malaysia. (Submitted)

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Abstract

Pumping sets play a significant role in industrial plants and need continuous monitoring to minimize the loss of production. Cavitation within the pump can cause undesirable effects, such as damage of the pump impeller by pitting and erosion and deterioration of the hydaulic performance (drop in head capacity and efficiency curves). This research works present an experimental study upon which cavitation could be generated under several controlled conditions by means of adjusting the flowrates and pressure. A series of comparisons were undertaken under cavitating and non-cavitating conditions. It was shown that high frequency random vibration was a good indicator for cavitation when measured in the vibration velocity and acceleration parameter. A more enhanced works had been carried out which present the field investigation of two submerged vertical pumps, which was suspected by cavitation in a power plant; with a total plant power generation output of 330 MW. These pumps had a history of catastrophic impeller failures. Vibration measurements were undertaken on site in this case study. Failures of submerged vertical pumps often occur without due to warning from the installed sensors or monitors. The reason is lack of sensors or tranducers mounted where they can reliably sense the condition of the pump, which is down in the hole. Therefore, it was thought to be obvious that vibration monitoring is probably the most important tool and has become accepted and proven worldwide in various industries. High frequency random vibration was proven in this study to be viably used for cavitation diagnosis. The investigations confirmned concern relating to operations during low tide and combined pumps operated in parallel where inadequate submergence . was identified as a likely cause to the impeller failures. The investigations implied a system design problem and pump operating conditions compounding the system design error that had resulted in frequent failures of the pumps.

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