Modification in gate valve using flexible membrane pipe for flow measurement

Abstract

A gate valve is used to regulate discharge in pipelines. It is rotated by a wheel that is attached to a circular disc (i.e. gate) at the top of a stem. Each revolution of the wheel creates a particular linear disc movement that changes the flow zone. The paper describes the journey of gate valve from flow control device to flow measuring device and presents an experimentation on conventional gate valve and gate valve with flexible membrane pipe. The findings of experimental study are described and validated with CFD analysis of conventional and modified gate valve. The experimental study has shown that the modified gate valve can be used as flow measuring device. The results obtained represent the excellent improvement in the relationship between disc position (i.e., angle) and discharge. The results of CFD analysis for flow through gate valve with and without flexible membrane are compared. After carrying out the CFD studies without flexible membrane, it is found that, fluctuating separation zones formed on either side of gate are responsible to a great extent to the flow rate descripancies. This paper compares the experimental and CFD results and also suggests the remedy to address the problem. Article highlights Introduced simply a flexible membrane pipe inside PVC to convert gate valve into flow measuring device. Reduction in flow separation and fluctuation in flow rate. Smooth flow rate even though gate valve opening is small.