Kavitén

Kavitén is a term used in several languages to denote cavitation, the formation and dynamics of vapor-filled cavities in a liquid when local pressure falls below the liquid’s vapor pressure. In English the phenomenon is called cavitation; kavitén appears as a cognate form in languages such as Estonian and Hungarian and is encountered in scientific translations and literature to refer to the same process. The concept covers both inertial cavitation, where bubbles rapidly grow and violently collapse, and stable cavitation, where bubbles persist through many acoustic cycles.

Causes of kavitén include rapid changes in pressure within flowing liquids, such as near propeller blades, pumps, turbines, valves, or constricted channels. Turbulent or high-velocity flows and abrupt geometry changes create pressure drops that nucleate vapor cavities. Bubble growth and subsequent collapse release localized energy, producing shock waves, microjets, and high shear forces that can damage materials and alter flow.

Measurement and analysis rely on high-speed imaging, acoustic emission monitoring, and other diagnostic tools to observe bubble dynamics and quantify cavitation intensity. Numerical simulations of bubble near-wall interactions and pressure fields support design and control efforts.

Applications and implications vary: controlled cavitation is used in ultrasonic cleaning, liquid processing, and certain medical or industrial therapies, while unwanted kavitén can cause material erosion, noise, and efficiency losses in hydraulic machinery. Preventive measures include optimized blade and valve design, flow conditioning, and materials chosen for cavitation resistance.