Observations of Inlet Flow at Liquid Hydrogen Turbopump Inducer

Abstract

Development of a high suction performance pump inducer is required for a high-performance rocket system to reduce total weight of a launch vehicle and to increase its reliability. It is very important for a high suction performance inducer design that the relation between flow patterns and cavitation structures makes clear. In this study, flow patterns observed with PIV system and cavitation structures observed with a high-speed camera are reported and discussed about their relationship.