Jet Pump Cavitation With Ambient and High Temperature Water

Cavitation characteristics of a jet pump were explored in tests with 80°C and 280°C water. A cavitation coefficient based on suction velocity and net suction head was used to correlate results. Results at low temperature compared well to results in literature. Results at high temperature and comparison of jet pump cavitation at low and high temperatures are the first to be reported as far as known. The jet pump was substantially less susceptible to cavitation at 280°C than at 80°C. The effects of cavitation, as indicated by drop-off in jet pump performance, vibration, and acoustic noise, were also much less severe at 280°C than at 80°C.