Applications of the CFD modelling in hydraulics and valve analysis

1. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN HYDRAULIC
VICUS Desarrollos Tecnológicos S.L. is an innovative technology company focused on research and
development in the marine, industrial and energy sectors. Our team is specialized in numerical simulation,
ensuring optimum response with optimized and reliable solutions. The company works regularly with all
types of companies in product research and development as well as optimization and analysis process.
In the following report some examples of VICUSdt capabilities regarding the use of state-of-the-art CFD
tools (Computational Fluid Dynamics) in hydraulic applications are shown. Using these tools makes
possible to analyze this type of elements without carrying out a physical model (work is developed with a
virtual model on a computer) and obtain information about the influence of certain geometrical parameters
on physical parameters of interest (head loss, pressure distribution etc.) to carry out an exhaustive
optimization process without building series of prototypes for the shape’s improvement.
Fig 1 . Pressure distribution and streamlines on a butterfly valve
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2. Fig 2 . Pressure distribution and streamlines on a butterfly valve.
In the previous figures (Fig.1. and Fig 2.) the pressure distribution and the trajectory of fluid particles as they
pass through a butterfly valve with inner diameter of about a meter are shown. Furthermore, the code allows
extract integral values such as the head losses due to pressure and friction. The above problem takes into
account a single-phase flow in which we only consider water, but in hydraulics there are other devices in
which we have to consider and register the effect of air-water interaction and the evolution of the free
surface. Routinely, VICUSdt performs studies of the behaviour of fluids with free surface and / or more
phases in wave energy converters, moving tanks, breakwaters, etc.
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3. Fig. 3. Domain of study for a gate valve.
Figure 3 shows in a virtual model the location of a gate valve at the end of a pipe. This type of analysis can
identify changes in the distribution of pressure-forces on the mechanical components as a time function; this
way, it is possible to use these loads for vibration analysis, fatigue, etc. In the same way we can identify
areas which are susceptible to erosion, sedimentation, boundary layer detachment, vorticity, etc.
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4. Fig. 4. Initial time after the opening.
Figure 4 corresponds to the first moments after the opening of the guillotine valve; In the image we can
distinguish how the free surface separates the area occupied by the water from the area occupied by the air
and how the air is "pushed" through the pipe.
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5. Fig. 5. Evolution of the free surface
In Figure 5 it is shown that, as the surface of the water moves ahead, the forward direction of the air flowing
through the pipe changes due to the suction induced by the water flow.
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6. Fig. 6. Virtual model of a “Howell-Bunger” valve.
In Figure 6 we can see a virtual model of a valve type "Howell-Bunger" with a deflector head and ventilation
system.
Animations of the models described in the report can be found in the following links:
http://www.vicusdt.com/videos/C013_V1.avi
http://www.vicusdt.com/videos/C013_V2.avi
http://www.vicusdt.com/videos/C013_V3.avi
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7. Fig. 7. Discharge of a “Howell-Bunger” valve.
All these examples provide a measure of the applicability of CFD tools (Computational Fluid Mechanics) to
study all types of hydraulic devices
For more information:
Adrián Sarasquete
VICUS DESARROLLOS TECNOLOGICOS S.L.
C/ Jacinto Benavente Nº 37 3º
36202 Vigo - Spain
T: +34 886113547
M: +34 629384214
info@vicusdt.com
www.vicusdt.com
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