The Study of Triangular Flow Regulators

The paper presents the results of tests of flow regulators with a triangular prismatic cross-section chamber. The aim of the paper was to experimentally and numerically (CFD) assess the water flow for different design variants of the regulators. Three variants of flow regulators with a triangular prismatic cross-section chamber were analysed: without a barrier (FRWB), with a short barrier (FRSB), and with a long barrier (FRLB). Simultaneously, numerical simulations were carried out using the SST k-ω turbulence model (CFD). The obtained flow characteristics Q = f(H) showed the clear effect of the presence and length of the barrier on the efficiency of flow restriction. The regulators with a long barrier (FRLB) provided the highest flow damping and the highest stability of the system’s operation, which was confirmed by the experimental tests and CFD analyses. The regulators without a barrier (FRWB) were characterized by the highest liquid flow rate and the lowest damping efficiency. The use of a long barrier allowed for an increased control efficiency and improved predictability of the device’s operation. The triangular cross-section of the chamber favours the formation of a stable vortex flow and increases the efficiency of the regulator’s operation.