Pump Cavitation and how to avoid it | DPP Blog DPP

Doug Robinson30 Jul, 2021Home & Garden

All pumps operate by creating a low pressure at the inlet and allowing atmospheric (or system) pressure to push fluid into the pump. The process makes all pumps susceptible to a phenomenon called cavitation. Cavitation is the formation of vapor cavities (bubbles) inside of a liquid when the local pressure is decreased rapidly below the vapor pressure of the liquid. This forms a vapor bubble inside the liquid which typically lasts for a short time before collapsing back into a liquid. The collapse is violent, producing a loud popping noise and often damaging nearby surfaces. Even strong metals will be pitted when subjected to the strong, localized jet resulting from the bubble implosion.