GAS FLOW IMPACT ON THE PRESSURE REGULATOR FLAPPER VALVE

When designing pneumatic automation units, such as gas pressure regulators and safety valves in particular, it is an important step to carry out preliminary calculations of the balance of forces acting on the elements of the moving system. The main forces involved in this process are the forces from the static pressure of the medium, spring forces and friction forces in the movable joints. One of the pressure forces is the aerodynamic force resulting from the gas flow through the valve. Its magnitude and direction depend on a number of parameters, including the geometry of the unit, which directly affects the flow of gas around the valve. The physical picture of gas flow through a valve is complicated by the fact that its channels have a complex shape, which makes it difficult to describe the process analytically. The complexity of aerodynamic force calculation often exceeds the capabilities of standard analytical methods. This is due to the non-linear dependence of the aerodynamic force on many variables such as valve configuration, valve position, flow velocity and pressure drop. In turn, the accuracy of the calculations has a significant impact on the performance and stability of the system as a whole. Errors made during the design phase can lead to unstable operation of the regulator, negatively affecting its performance. The article presents the results of experimental research aimed at studying the effect of gas flow on the valve. During the experiments, the dependence of the force acting on the disc valve on its displacement, as well as on the value of inlet pressure was obtained. Additionally, the flow capacity characteristics of the valve were studied, namely, the dependence of the flow coefficient on the valve stroke. A calculation methodology is also presented, which allows to determine with acceptable accuracy for design calculations the value of aerodynamic force for a particular valve configuration. The application of the described method of aerodynamic force measurement does not require complex equipment, and the minimum requirements to the test bench significantly expand the possibilities of its use. The results obtained can be used to optimize the design of both existing and new types of valves and gas pressure regulators.