Numerical Investigation of Methodologies for Cavitation Suppression Inside Globe Valves

Abstract

Cavitation inside globe valves, which is a common phenomenon if there is a high-pressure drop, is numerically investigated in this study. Firstly, the cavitation phenomenon in globe valves with a different number of cages is compared. When there is no valve cage, cavitation mainly appears at the valve seat, the bottom of the valve core, and the downstream pipelines. By installing a valve cage, cavitation bubbles can be restricted around the valve cage protecting the valve body from being damaged. Secondly, the effects of the outlet pressure, the working temperature, and the installation angle of two valve cages in a two-cage globe valve are studied to find out the best method to suppress cavitation, and cavitation number is utilized to evaluate cavitation intensity. Results show that cavitation intensity inside globe valves can be reduced by increasing the valve outlet pressure, decreasing the working temperature, or increasing the installation angle. Results suggest that increasing the outlet pressure is the most efficient way to suppress cavitation intensity in a globe valve, and the working temperature has a minimal effect on cavitation intensity.