A cavitation performance prediction method for pumps PART4—Sensitivity and accuracy validation for axial-flow reactor coolant pump

To address the challenges of predicting cavitation performance in axial-flow reactor coolant pumps (RCPs), a new method was proposed in the study titled “A Cavitation Performance Prediction Method for Pumps PART3 Feasible for Axial-Flow Reactor Coolant Pump” [1]. The feasibility of this method was validated through experimental studies on axial pumps. Building upon this work, the current research proposes a single-phase cavitation performance prediction method based on the pressure isosurface area ratio. By integrating numerical simulations and experimental validation, the study explores how the pressure isosurface correlates with the critical net positive suction head (NPSH) across different flow conditions. A model was developed to represent the ratio of the pressure isosurface area to the blade area, offering insights into the mechanisms of cavitation onset and progression. The findings emphasize the sensitivity of this area ratio to variations in flow rate. During validation, predictions for different area ratios (Rs = 9.67 %, Rs = 10.52 % and Rs = 11.76 %) and compared with experimental data. The results demonstrate that when Rs = 10.52 %, the cavitation performance prediction aligns closely with the experimental results, exhibiting high accuracy. This method significantly reduces the iterative optimization steps required during the pump design process, thereby improving design efficiency. Additionally, a detailed analysis of the trends in pressure isosurface area variation under different flow conditions further validates the reliability and applicability of this method across multiple operating conditions.