Cavitation reduction in the globe valve using oblique perforated cages: A numerical investigation

Abstract

Globe valves are one of the oldest and most widely used flow control valves. However, cavitation due to high-pressure drop is a common phenomenon in such valves, reducing valve lifetime and increasing replacement costs. Recently, a series of perforated cages have been used in globe valves to reduce cavitation damage (especially in the body and disk). In this study, a globe valve is numerically investigated under four different structures, i.e., without the cage, with a perforated cage whose holes are radial, with a perforated cage whose holes are facing upwards, and with a perforated cage whose holes are facing downwards. The effects of the valve opening, inlet velocity, and holes direction on the pressure drop and cavitation incipient/intensity are investigated. The results show that cavitation is observed with the decrease of the valve opening even at the low velocities. And with increasing the velocity inlet, the pressure drop and cavitation intensity increase significantly. It can also be concluded that in the globe valve using a perforated cage with holes downwards, less cavitation is observed than in other models. Therefore, this configuration is proposed to protect the inner components of the valve (such as seat, seal, and plug) from cavitation damage.