Characteristics of flow cavitation in dilute solutions of polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide

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Abstract
The effect of high molecular weight drag‐reducing polymers on flow‐induced cavitation was studied. Cavitation was generated on the surface of a disk rotating in a test chamber. Cavitation inception was determined as a function of flow velocity, temperature, and pressure. Polymeric additives used included polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide at various concentrations. The results showed that the inception of flow‐induced cavitation was suppressed by the high molecular weight polymers. This suppression was represented by a substantial reduction in the values of the cavitation inception parameter in polymer solutions. Polymeric additives were also found to have a strong effect in reducing the overall size of fully developed cavities. These effects were briefly discussed in terms of polymer viscoelasticity.