Erosion characteristics of the axial flow regulating valve at gas transmission stations

In order to explore the erosion characteristics of the axial flow regulating valve used at gas transmission stations in gas-solid two-phase flow, the typical axial flow regulating valve was taken as the research object in this paper. The distribution characteristics of high flow velocity at different valve openings and its contribution to the erosion of the vital parts of the axial flow regulating valve were analyzed by means of wall thickness measurement experiment and CFD numerical simulation. Then, a computation model for the erosion rate of regulating valve was established on the basis of Tulsa model. It is shown that the flow velocity at the inlet reducer and the spool cage is higher than that in the valve, so inlet reducer and spool cage are classified as the serious erosion area. During its 5 years' operation, the contribution of the erosion rate is 1.7% at the opening of 30%, 42.1% at the opening of 70% and 56.1% at opening of 100%. The erosion rates at different parts inside the valve present the increasing trend along with the opening. The impact angle function (f(a)) in the original model is modified based on the newly established computation model for the erosion rate of regulating valve. The model parameters with high accuracy and good adaptability were found, and can be used for reference in the operation and maintenance of the axial flow pressure regulating valve in gas transmission stations.