Observations on Rotating Cavitation and Cavitation Surge from the Development of the Fastrac Engine Turbopump

Observations regarding rotating cavitation and cavitation surge experienced during the development of the Fastrac engine turbopump are discussed. Detailed observations acquired from the analysis of both water flow and liquid oxygen test data are offered in this paper. Scaling and general comparison of rotating cavitation between water flow and liquid oxygen testing are discussed. Complex data features linking the localized rotating cavitation mechanism of the inducer to system surge components are described in detail. Finally a description of a lumped-parameter hydraulic system model developed to better understand observed data is given.