Large eddy simulation of a high-pressure homogenizer valve

Abstract

A detailed understanding of the flow behavior inside a high pressure homogenizer (HPH) valve has a vital importance in designing and optimizing the systems in terms of energy and performance. A large Eddy simulation (LES) method is used in this study to investigate the flow structure in an HPH valve. The current paper utilizes two zero-equation subgrid-scale models: namely the RAST (Rahman–Agarwal–Siikonen–Taghinia) and DSM (dynamic Smagorinsky model). The performance of these two models and their predictions are compared with experimental data available in the literature. Computations dictate that an LES can reproduce the accurate information in terms of main parameters that are necessary in designing and optimizing of the homogenizing process. Comparisons demonstrate that both models are capable of predicting the turbulent-flow structures at the gap exit which are in a good agreement with measurements. However, the RAST model shows a slight superiority over the performance of DSM.