Validation of Valve Coefficients Using Experimentation and Numerical Analysis

Abstract Today’s demanding projects calls for a quality valve that is effective in controlling the flow in the closed conduit with optimum flow velocity and least energy losses in the system. Proper selection of valve requires information on maximum and minimum flows and the head loss for wide range of applications. Hence a comprehensive research study was carried out on an improvised tricentric butterfly valve of 100 mm NB over a conventional type of butterfly valve and globe valve at different percentages of openings to determine the flow performance characteristics at CWPRS, Pune. These studies highlight the improved performance of the tricentric butterfly valve over the conventional valve. The findings exhibit the exceptional performance and advantage of equal percentage flow control loop characteristics of a new tricentric valve over the conventional type S-shape flow performance characteristic curve and the linear characteristics of the globe valve. The tricentric valve has demonstrated in the opening range between 15° and 75° showing an equal percentage characteristic. The minimal pressure drop in these valves, causes significant energy savings over a broad range of control applications like water distribution systems, power generation, refineries, chemical, and desalination. The validation by experimental data with CFD is obtained with reasonable near-optimum results for valve coefficients.