CFD-based structural optimization and design for domestically produced regulating valves in China

To rapidly develop domestic production of low-cost and high-quality regulating valves for oil and gas pipelines, the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) technique is used for optimization to provide references for research and development of regulating valves in China. With consideration to geometric configuration of a domestically produced regulating valve, internal flowing channels under different openness are determined. Then, the Fluent flow-field analysis software is used to analyze flow capacity, flowrate characteristic curves, slope deviations and distribution of internal pressures and velocities in the regulating valve. Based on the research results, geometric configuration of the regulating valve is improved and optimized. Research results show that, due to the CFD-based optimization, flow capacity, flowrate characteristic curves and slope deviations of regulating valves can properly satisfy design demands for domestic production. The technique may effectively reduce the time required for development, together with costs related to fabrication and tests for these regulating valves.