Effect of Inlet Flow Characteristics on the Volume Fraction Distribution within a Severe Service Trim and the Valve Flow Coefficient

It is well established that inlet flow characteristics may affect the performance of fluid handling systems considerably. This work focuses on the local flow analysis of a severe service control valve with a continuous resistance trim (CRT) operating under multiphase flow conditions and the effect of the inlet flow characteristics on the dispersed phase distribution within the trim and the valve flow coefficient Cv. Three dimensional CFD models, using both the mixture model and turbulence model komega SST, were used to simulate the flow within valve body and trim assembly under multiphase conditions. It is shown in this work that the dispersed phase distribution in the trim is strongly affected by the valve inlet conditions and thus affecting its performance. However, the valve flow coefficient is barely affected by the inlet flow conditions.