Effect of variable speed motion curve of electric actuator on ball valve performance and internal flow field

Guangfei Ma,Yong Fang,Zhe Lin,Zuchao Zhu

doi:10.1177/16878140211028003

Abstract

Ball valve is an important control component in the pipeline transportation system. It is widely used in pipeline transportation systems to control the pressure and flow parameters of the conveying medium. Based on the user-defined UDF technology and the standard k-[Formula: see text] turbulence model using computational fluid dynamics techniques, the transient numerical simulation of the internal flow field of the ball valve under the variable speed law and different opening degrees is carried out, and the flow coefficient characteristics, resistance coefficient characteristics, inlet and outlet pressure drop, and internal flow field distribution of the ball valve are analyzed and studied. The results show that by designing the curve function of the ball valve actuator movement process with different structure forms, different types of ball valve flow coefficient and resistance coefficient curve can be obtained, which makes the ball valve as a flow regulating valve more widely used; Modifying the motion law of ball valve electric actuator has little influence on the distribution of ball valve flow field. As long as the motion law of ball valve actuator is optimized within a reasonable range, the purpose of pipeline flow control can be achieved, the inconvenience of valve replacement can be reduced, and the economic cost can be saved.

Highlights

Valve is an important control element in pipeline transportation system
The flow coefficient is basically the same during the shifting execution regular motion; when the ball valve opening is greater than 30°, the flow coefficient curve of the ball valve 18 and 34 s during the shifting movement process is not much different, but it is higher than the flow coefficient value of the ball valve 23 s during the shifting movement process
When the opening degree of the ball valve is greater than 30°, the form of the curve function of the ball valve shifting motion will have a great influence on the flow coefficient of the ball valve

Summary

Introduction

Valve is an important control element in pipeline transportation system. By changing the flow section and direction of medium flow, the opening and closing, reversing and regulating flow rate of fluid medium path are carried out, so as to control the pressure, flow rate, and temperature of the medium. Based on the threedimensional unsteady Navier-Stokes governing equation and the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software FLUENT, the three-dimensional flow field of the ball valve in the process of variable speed opening and closing is numerically simulated.

Results

Conclusion