Column separation experiments with large pressure pulses

Abstract

Experimental records of examples of distributed cavitation in a pipeline, and of concentrated cavitation at a specific location are presented. The slope of the piezometric level relative to the pipe slope at the time of vaporization controls the type of cavitation. Short duration high amplitude pressure pulses, ie. , times considerably less than 2 L/a seconds in a simple reservoir-pipe-valve system, are shown to occur in cases of localized cavitation, and to be much less apparent in cases in which distributed vaporous cavitation occurs prior to the collapse of the first cavity at the valve. With extensive distributed vaporization along the pipeline the particular short duration pulses of concern are not present.