Characteristics of flow cavitation in dilute solutions of polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide

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Abstract
The effect of high molecular weight drag-reducing polymers on flow-induced cavitation was studied. Cavitation was generated on the surface of a disk rotating in a test chamber. Cavitation inception was determined as a function of flow velocity, temperature, and pressure. Polymeric additives used included polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide at various concentrations. The results showed that the inception of flow-induced cavitation was suppressed by the high molecular weight polymers. This suppression was represented by a substantial reduction in the values of the cavitation inception parameter in polymer solutions. Polymeric additives were also found to have a strong effect in reducing the overall size of fully developed cavities. These effects were briefly discussed in terms of polymer viscoelasticity.

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