Is cavitation worse at depth? (Fluid pressure and Vapor pressure boiling)

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between hydrostatic pressure and cavitation onset in fluids, particularly in the context of submarine propeller speeds. It is established that cavitation occurs at lower propeller speeds at shallower depths due to the absolute pressure needing to drop below the equilibrium vapor pressure of water for boiling or cavitation to initiate. Additionally, raising the liquid pressure can lead to earlier boiling onset, analogous to increasing temperature, although real-world examples of this phenomenon are not readily available. The discussion emphasizes that greater hydrostatic pressures reduce cavitation by providing more force to close cavities formed by propeller rotation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of hydrostatic pressure principles
  • Knowledge of vapor pressure and boiling point relationships
  • Familiarity with cavitation phenomena in fluid dynamics
  • Basic concepts of thermodynamics related to pressure and temperature
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the effects of hydrostatic pressure on cavitation in marine propellers
  • Explore the relationship between vapor pressure and boiling points in various fluids
  • Investigate methods to control cavitation in underwater propulsion systems
  • Study the thermodynamic principles of pressure and temperature in fluid systems
USEFUL FOR

Marine engineers, fluid dynamics researchers, and professionals involved in submarine design and propulsion systems will benefit from this discussion.

Timtam
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I am wondering about the impact of the hydro static pressure of a fluid on its boiling point.
The simplest real world example scenario I can think of is the rate/onset of cavitation at a large depth vs a shallow depth.

As we increase the submarine propellor speed to a speed where the adjacent fluid is brought below its vapour pressure would cavitation occur at lower propeller speeds at shallower depths or deeper.

If this is complicating the issue too much then in the standard vacuum boiling example (where we know boiling onset is decreased if the gas phase pressure is continually maintained at a lower pressure than the vapour pressure of the fluid) , conversely if we could iso-thermally maintain the liquid pressure slightly higher than the gas phase above it would boiling onset be earlier for a given temperature?

Many thanks
 
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It would occur at lower propeller speeds at shallower depths. The absolute pressure must be decreased below the equilibrium vapor pressure of water for boiling or cavitation to occur.
 
Chestermiller said:
It would occur at lower propeller speeds at shallower depths. The absolute pressure must be decreased below the equilibrium vapor pressure of water for boiling or cavitation to occur.
Thanks ChesterMiller that makes sense , what are your thoughts on the second example- raising the liquid pressure, is that analogous to raising the temperature of the liquid ? I can't think of a real world example of where a liquid could be a higher pressure at the surface than the gas phase above but if that was the case would boiling be onset earlier ?
 
Timtam said:
Thanks ChesterMiller that makes sense , what are your thoughts on the second example- raising the liquid pressure, is that analogous to raising the temperature of the liquid ? I can't think of a real world example of where a liquid could be a higher pressure at the surface than the gas phase above but if that was the case would boiling be onset earlier ?
I don't understand this question.
 
A cavity is formed when the fluid cannot accelerate sufficiently to fill the volume left by the rotating propeller. Cavitation is reduced at greater hydrostatic pressures because the force available to keep the cavity closed is greater.

The boiling point at high pressure is not important. The cavity formed will contain vapour at the vapour pressure expected at that temperature. That vapour will be violently compressed as the cavity closes, which causes the corrosion problems.
 

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