Cavitation has long constrained the design, efficiency, reliability, and operating envelopes of fluid-handling systems. It occurs when local pressure in a liquid drops below the fluid’s vapor pressure, forming vapor bubbles that collapse violently and cause erosion, noise, vibration, performance loss, and premature equipment failure.

This white paper explains the physics of cavitation, its causes and effects, and its specific impacts on the pump industry, HVAC/hydronic systems, and distillation processes. It reviews current mitigation strategies and their inherent limitations.