Analysis of erosion and sealing characteristics of V-regulating ball valves for coal chemical industry

Purpose This study aims to research the erosion wear characteristics and sealing performance of V-regulating ball valve in coal chemical process pipelines, which provides a theoretical reference for improving its antiwear and sealing performance. Design/methodology/approach Taking the V-regulating ball valve as the research object, based on the computational fluid dynamics and the theory of erosion wear, the authors studied its erosion characteristics under different medium parameters and analyzed the sealing performance under the heat-fluid–solid coupling working condition. Findings The erosion wear mechanism of the valve sealing surface is the simultaneous action of cutting and deformation. When the medium flow velocity, particle mass flow rate and particle size increase, the maximum erosion rate and average erosion rate in the V-regulating valve increase. The inner diameter Mises contact stress of the sealing surface is symmetrically distributed in a “wing shape,” and the contact stress of the outer diameter is distributed in a “butterfly shape.” Due to the superposition of thermal stress and pressure stress in the contact transition zone to produce a significant stress concentration. Practical implications The findings will provide a theoretical basis for improving the erosion resistance and sealing performance of V-regulating ball valve in coal chemical industry. Social implications V-type regulating ball valve is widely favored by coal chemical enterprises and petrochemical enterprises because of its wide adjustment ratio and good erosion resistance. Originality/value The V-regulating ball valve wear mechanism for cutting and deformation simultaneously, and its wear rate is positively correlated with the medium flow rate, particle mass flow rate and particle size. After the valve is opened, there is a significant stress concentration occurs in the contact transition zone due to the superposition of thermal stress and compressive stress. The findings will provide a theoretical basis for improving the erosion resistance and sealing performance of V-regulating ball valve in coal chemical industry. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-06-2024-0205/