Numerical Simulation of a Spool Valve in Gaseous Cavitation Conditions

Spool valves are subject to a deteriorated performance and noise due the occurrence of cavitation phenomena. It is well known that effects component causes an unwanted noise. The sound levels influenced by many parameters like geometries opening areas. In this paper simple valve body made in plexiglass has been tested analyzing cavitating area U-grooves. A dedicated test rig equipped with high-speed camera acquire images phenomenon. numerical three-dimensional CFD model built up using commercial code. Experimental imagines have compared results showing high accuracy on prediction gaseous cavitation. allow separate examination several distinctive flow characteristics, which show favorable consistency experimental observation periodic evolution structure.