Influence of radial flow impeller balance holes on the net positive suction head for rotodynamic pumps

The influence of balance holes of rotodynamic pumps on the net positive suction head is not fully clear. The lack of available information on the subject leads to the situations when deterioration in suction properties of the pump due to the presence of balance holes is recognized during pump test phase. Usually some holes are arbitrarily plugged. The paper analyses the influence of balance holes on net positive suction head characteristics. The measurement data are presented.