Pressure characteristics of cavitation control by aeration

This experimental investigation was systematically conducted with the aid of a non-circulating water tunnel in the Hydraulics Laboratory at Zhejiang University of Technology in China. The test velocity is between 20 m/s and 40 m/s. The least air concentration to prevent cavitation erosion lies between 1.7% and 4.5%. Pressure waveforms with and without aeration in cavitation and cavitation erosion regions were measured. Time-averaged pressure profiles with and without aeration were compared. Pressure characteristics corresponding to least air concentration to prevent cavitation erosion in cavitation and cavitation erosion regions were analyzed.