Abstract
This paper describes an experimental study on water jet pumps with different diameters and nozzle-to-throat area ratios. The results revealed that the area ratio was an important parameter to characterize the maximum suction lift of the jet pumps, while their diameters had a negligible effect. All jet pumps reached the cavitation regime at a suction lift of about 8 mH2O. In the non-cavitating region, it was found that the higher the area ratio, the higher the maximum suction lift for the same motive pressure head. However, the lower the area ratio, the higher the resistance to enter the cavitation regime. A dimensionless correlation was obtained for the non-cavitating region to describe the maximum suction lift as a function of a modified Thoma number and the area ratio. Curve fitting of experimental data also provided a dimensionless correlation to predict the onset of cavitation. Finally, applications of the results are presented.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A. J. Stepanoff, Centrifugal and axial flow pumps: Theory, design and application, 2nd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, New York (1957).
N. H. G. Mueller, Water jet pump, Journal of the Hydraulics Division, ASCE, 90(3) (1964) 83–113.
R. G. Cunningham, A. G. Hansen and T. Y. Na, Jet pump cavitation, J. Basic Eng., ASME 92 (1970) 483–494.
T. F. Salam and B. M. Gibbs, Gas and solid discharge from fluidzed-bed using a jet pump, Powder Technology, 50(2) (1987) 111–120.
D. Wang and P. W. Wypych, Water-only performance of proportioning jet pumps for hydraulic transportation of solids, Powder Technology, 84(1) (1995) 57–64.
S. H. Winoto, H. Li and D. A. Shah, Efficiency of jet pumps, Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, 126(2) (2000) 150–156.
I. E. Lima Neto and R. M. Porto, Performance of low-cost ejectors, Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering, ASCE, 130(2) (2004) 122–128.
X. Long, N. Han and Q. Chen, Influence of nozzle exit tip thickness on the performance and flow field of jet pump, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 22 (2008) 1959–1965.
I. E. Lima Neto, D. Z. Zhu and N. Rajaratnam, Horizontal injection of gas-liquid mixtures in a water tank. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering, ASCE, 134(12) (2008) 1722–1731.
S. T. Bonnington and A. L. King, Jet pumps and ejectors: A state of art, review and bibliography. BHRA Fluid Engineering Series, Cranfield, England (1976).
D. Wu, L. Wang, Z. Hao, Z. Li and Z. Bao, Experimental study on hydrodynamic performance of a cavitating centrifugal pump during transient operation, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, 24(2) (2010) 575–582.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Associate Editor Jun Sang Park
Iran E. Lima Neto is currently an assistant professor in the Department of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. He obtained his B.Sc. degree in 1998 from the above university, M.Sc. degree in 2001 from the University of São Paulo — São Carlos, and Ph.D. degree in 2007 from the University of Alberta. His major research interests include fluids engineering, jets, plumes and multiphase flows. He has published 10 journal papers and about 20 conference papers in the fields of fluid mechanics and hydraulics.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lima Neto, I.E. Maximum suction lift of water jet pumps. J Mech Sci Technol 25, 391–394 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-1221-7
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-010-1221-7