Experimental cavitation investigation of the electromagnetic PbBi pump with rotating permanent magnets

K. Kravalis¹ - F. Boix² - I. Bucenieks¹ - L. Buligins¹ - M. Delonca² - L. Goldšteins¹ - T. Stora²

¹ Institute of Physics, University of Latvia, 32 Miera str., Salaspils LV-2169, Latvia
² European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract
Electromagnetic induction pumps with rotating permanent magnets (EMP) are used mostly in experimental setups, where operation safety and reliability are crucial. Such pumps can face flow parameter decrease when operating at a low inlet pressure compared with those gained at higher inlet pressure values. The pump's developed flow rate increase does not correspond to the magnetic rotor rotation rate increase at the lower inlet pressure caused by the cavitation process at the pump’s inlet tract. The study focuses on critical cavitation numbers at several inlet tract sections under severe cavitation conditions which prevent the flow rate increase. The current study is an experimental approach to characterize the pump operation parameters using cavitation numbers and comparing them with the literature data. Figs 7, Refs 13.