Cavitation in Vortex Diodes and Its Significance in Diode Pumps

Vortex diodes handling liquids are subject to the effects both of cavitation and Reynolds number. The apparent complexity of their characteristics makes design and simulation difficult. To some extent, however, this complexity is artificial and can be reduced.The effect of cavitation is most severe in the forward state. The usual characterization in terms of Thoma's cavitation number (based on pressure drop and downstream pressure) obscures a much simpler relationship using the upstream pressure explicitly. This yields simple equations which cover the cavitating regime. The non-cavitating characteristics are shown to be well predicted by established data on the operation of diffusers. Experimental data vindicating this is taken from Zobel, Syred et al, and our own experiments.Cavitation in the reverse state is not simplified but it is much less important for the diodes quoted. The practical implications of these results in diode pump applications are examined and quantified.