STTR Phase I: Investigation of Throttled Flow Performance in Venturi Off-Set Technology VOSTtm Valves

这个小企业技术转让第一阶段项目将探索，使用数值建模和原型测试，使用轴向驱动阀的各种粘度和两相流体的流量控制的可行性。 初步研究与创新的文丘里偏置技术（VOSTtm）阀门表明，这些阀门表现出线性流量响应作为阀门驱动位置的函数。 由于这些阀门需要短（1/2转），因此快速驱动运动，它们具有很大的潜力，可用作各种工业中的流量控制装置。 然而，在设计和生产节流阀之前，必须解决阀内的密封和磨损问题。 解决这些问题需要了解阀门内的流动。 第一阶段研究的目的是调查使用计算流体动力学（CFD）工具对独特的VOSTtm阀流道内的流动进行建模的可行性，当其用作节流阀或控制阀时。 这一问题提出了两个重大挑战。 首先，需要确定在各种打开位置通过阀门的流量，这对模拟几何形状的计算网格提出了独特的要求。 第二，对于流动求解器来说，可能难以捕获该复杂内部通道中的流场的细节。 一旦在第一阶段证明了CFD建模的可行性，将在第二阶段开发CFD设计工具和技术，用于开发VOSTtm阀门，用于涉及高粘度或多相流体的各种困难的流量控制应用。 利用怀俄明州大学的建模和测量能力和大角阀门公司。在流量测试设施中，研究人员将：（1）开发计算流体力学工具来模拟流道内的流量特性;（2）制造节流阀体来验证计算机结果;（3）对高粘度或多相条件下的流量特性进行参数研究。 在这一竞技场的成功研究将加强对阀门节流和性能特性的理解，同时也研究了执行改变几何形状的数值流动建模的新方法。 将CFD分析工具和技术转移到工业环境中将允许设计人员为各种行业开发低损失线性流量控制阀。 最初的应用将被研究用于固体的浆料运输（天然碱工业）和用于石油化工工业。 仅石化过程阀门就构成了14亿美元的美国行业。

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project will explore, using numerical modeling and prototype testing, the feasibility of using axially actuated valves for flow control of various viscosity and two-phase fluids. Preliminary research with the innovative Venturi Off-Set Technology (VOSTtm) valves indicates that these valves exhibit a linear flow response as a function of valve actuation position. Because these valves require short (1/2 turn) and therefore rapid actuation motion, they have great potentialfor use as flow control devices in a variety of industries. However, before throttling valves can be designed and produced, problems with seals and wear within the valve must be addressed solved. Solution of these problems requires understanding the flow within the valve. The purpose of this Phase I research is to investigate the feasibility of using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools to model flow within the unique VOSTtm valve flow passage when used as a throttling or control valve. Two significant challenges are presented by this problem. First, the need to determine flow through the valve at a variety of opening positions imposes unique demands on the computational grids that model the geometry. Second, it may be difficult for the flow solver to capture details of the flow field in this complicated internal passage. Once CFD modeling feasibility is demonstrated in Phase I, CFD design tools and techniques will be developed in Phase II for use in developing VOSTtm valves for a variety of difficult flow control applications involving high viscosity or multiple-phase fluids. Utilizing University of Wyoming modeling and measurement capabilities and Big Horn Valve Inc. flow testing facilities, investigators will: (1) develop CFD tools to simulate flow characteristics within the flow passage; (2) fabricate a throttling valve body to verifycomputer results; and (3) conduct parametric studies of flow behavior for high viscosity or multiple phase conditions. Successful research in this arena will strengthen the understanding of valve throttling and performance characteristics, while also investigating new ways to perform numerical flow modeling of changing geometry. Transfer of CFD analytical tools and techniques into the industrial environment will permit designers to develop low loss linear flow control valves for a variety of industries. Initial applications to be studied will be for slurry transport of solids (Trona industry) and for use in the petrochemical industry. Petrochemical process valves alone constitute a $1.4B US industry.