This guide is part of a series that provides advice for using CFX in specific engineering application areas. It is aimed at users with moderate or little experience using CFX for applications involving cavitation.

Cavitation is the formation of vapor bubbles within a liquid where flow dynamics cause the local static pressure to drop below the vapor pressure. The bubbles of vapor usually last a short time, collapsing when they encounter higher pressure. Cavitation should not be confused with boiling. When a liquid boils, thermal energy drives the local temperature to exceed the saturation temperature.

Cavitation is a concern in several application areas, including pumps, inducers, marine propellers, water turbines, and fuel injectors. One of the major problems caused by cavitation is a loss of pressure rise across a pump. Other problems include noise, vibration, and damage to metal components.