Panel Discussion on Inducer Design Criteria

This article reports a panel discussion titled Inducer Design Criteria presented at the 9th International Symposium on Transport Phenomena and Dynamics of Rotating Machinery (ISROMAC-9). The presentations of the panelists and the subsequent discussions are summarized. It is shown that cavitation instabilities are major problems in modern turbopumps and that design criteria to eliminate them are needed. Available design methods for inducers and marine propellers are reviewed, and new criteria to enhance stability are proposed. The current status of CFD is reviewed and an example of successful application is shown. Discussions of several specific topics are reported and future research needs are noted.