Question 181General Subjects - 1st Asst/Chief

The correct answer is D) cavitation. Pitting in the suction areas of a centrifugal pump bronze impeller is usually caused by cavitation. Cavitation occurs when the localized pressure in the pump drops below the vapor pressure of the liquid, causing the formation of vapor bubbles. These bubbles then collapse when they reach areas of higher pressure, creating high-velocity liquid jets that erode the impeller surface and cause pitting. The other options are incorrect because: A) corrosion is a different type of wear mechanism, B) abrasion is caused by solid particles in the liquid, and C) electrolysis is a different electrochemical process that can also cause pitting, but is not the primary cause in this case.