A Numerical and Experimental Study of the Time-Averaged and Transient Flow Downstream of a Butterfly Valve

Abstract

This research took the DN50 butterfly valve as the research object and studied the flow situation of butterfly valves with different shafts. The resistance characteristics, flow state, characteristics, and flow instability of butterfly valves with different structures were studied by experiments and numerical simulations. Research shows that the flow separation occurs at the edge of the valve disk, and the drag of the valve disk fluctuates nonperiodically with time. Under different opening degrees, the velocity distribution downstream of the valve varies, and the effect of the shaft on the velocity fluctuation is different. Finally, the unstable region of flow downstream of the valve is determined. This study provides a reference for the use and optimization of butterfly valves.