What can cause cavitation in a pump?

Cavitation in a pump occurs when the pressure in the pump drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid being pumped, leading to the formation of vapor bubbles. These bubbles then collapse violently when they move into regions of higher pressure, causing noise, vibration, and potential damage to the pump components.

An increase in intake velocity or too large of a suction lift can lead to a drop in pressure at the pump's inlet. When the suction lift is excessive, the pressure halfway up the suction line may fall low enough to allow vapor formation. This condition can make the pump operate with insufficient fluid to properly create a hydraulic seal, leading to cavitation.

For instance, if the velocity of the intake fluid increases significantly, it can create a lower pressure zone at the pump inlet due to Bernoulli's principle, further exacerbating the cavitation issue. The combination of high intake velocity and excessive suction lift is particularly detrimental because it combines both high demand for fluid with inadequate liquid supply to maintain proper operational pressure levels, leading to vaporization and cavitation risks.

The other choices do not effectively lead to cavitation. A too-small suction lift would typically mean there's not enough negative pressure to create cavitation, while oversized intake lines may contribute to poor flow characteristics but