Study on flow and cavitation characteristic in zigzag and array labyrinth valve core structures

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20240777

Abstract

Abstract:

The Labyrinth valve core is a key component for controlling high-pressure liquid flow. The cavitation phenomenon in its flow channel structure is one of the bottlenecks that restricts flow adjustment. The numerical simulations have been conducted through SST k-ω turbulence model and Rayleigh-Plesset cavitation model to investigate the flow and cavitation characteristics in zigzag and array labyrinth flow channel structures. A modified trim structure was proposed that meets the requirements of low cavitation intensity and high mass flux. The results indicate that the mass flow rate of the zigzag channel was lower under identical pressure difference between inlet and outlet. The cavitation intensity was increased in zigzag channel due to the occurrence of strong boundary layer separation and the appearance of large-scale vortex regions. As for array channel, the cavitation phenomenon was observed in wake region of the final cylinder. By modifying the final cylinder to a water-droplet streamline structure, the local cavitation could be significantly mitigated while maintaining elevated mass flux. When the tail angle b=30°, the average cavitation reaches the lowest value of 41.9%. This suggests the existence of an optimal angle that minimizes the cavitation rate at the downstream outlet section. The present study can offer a theoretical foundation for optimizing the trim structure, enhancing the anti-cavitation performance, and improving the fluid mass flux of labyrinth regulating valves.

Key words: labyrinth valve core, flow, cavitation, gas-liquid two-phase flow, flow capacity, numerical simulation

摘要：

迷宫阀芯是控制高压液体流量的关键部件，其流道结构内的空化现象是限制流量调节的瓶颈之一。针对曲折式与阵列式两类典型的迷宫阀芯结构，采用SST k-ω湍流模型和Rayleigh-Plesset空化模型，数值研究了流体流动与空化特性，提出了满足低空化率、高质量流率要求的阀芯结构型式。研究发现，相同压差下曲折式流道的质量流量更低，由于发生强烈的边界层分离现象和出现大尺度涡旋区域导致空化率增加；阵列式流道末级圆柱尾迹区发生强烈的空化现象，通过改进末级圆柱为水滴型结构，可显著降低局部空化率，同时具备良好的流通能力；当尾部角度b=30°时，平均空化率达到最低值41.9%，这表明存在一个使下游出口截面空化率达到最小值的最佳角度。本研究可为迷宫调节阀阀芯流道结构优化、提升抗空化性能和流体质量流率提供理论依据。

关键词: 迷宫阀芯, 流动, 空化, 气液两相流, 流通能力, 数值模拟

CLC Number:

TH 134

Junpeng WANG, Jiaqi FENG, Enbo ZHANG, Bofeng BAI. Study on flow and cavitation characteristic in zigzag and array labyrinth valve core structures[J]. CIESC Journal, 2025, 76(S1): 93-105.

王俊鹏, 冯佳琪, 张恩搏, 白博峰. 曲折式与阵列式迷宫阀芯结构内流动与空化特性研究[J]. 化工学报, 2025, 76(S1): 93-105.

Figures/Tables 19

Fig.1 The schematic structure of labyrinth valve

Fig.2 The model of labyrinth valve disc and flow channel

Table 1 The geometry parameter of labyrinth valve disc and flow channel

参数	SZC	CZC	CAC	SCC
碟片外径L/mm	238.34	238.34	238.34	238.34
碟片内径l/mm	53.48	53.48	53.48	53.48
流道高度H/mm	3.00	3.00	3.00	3.00
入口宽度d₁/mm	6.00	6.00	6.00	6.00
出口宽度d₁₃/mm	10.78	10.78	10.78	10.78
流道总级数n	13	13	13	13
流道扩张率d_i+₁/d_i	1.05	1.05	1.05	1.05
外圆角半径R/mm	—	3	—	—
内圆角半径r/mm	—	1.25	—	—

Fig.3 Schematic of grids details and boundary condition

Table 2 Results of grids independence verification

构型	网格方案	总数量	最大单元尺寸/mm	压差/Pa
SZC	1#	819168	1.02	3.01×10⁶
	2#	1319328	0.85	3.29×10⁶
	3#	1840800	0.75	3.43×10⁶
	4#	2908800	0.59	3.42×10⁶
CZC	1#	472192	0.98	3.25×10⁶
	2#	982528	0.77	2.03×10⁶
	3#	2057088	0.65	1.93×10⁶
	4#	3001152	0.4	1.90×10⁶
CAC	1#	1030400	0.78	1.08×10⁶
	2#	2060800	0.61	1.10×10⁶
	3#	3392000	0.48	1.19×10⁶
	4#	4212160	0.22	1.18×10⁶
SCC	1#	1052800	1.36	1.65×10⁷
	2#	1911200	0.98	1.55×10⁷
	3#	3204000	0.85	1.59×10⁷
	4#	4234400	0.66	1.58×10⁷

Table 3 Parameters of boundary condition

边界条件	取值
入口压力/MPa	1，4，7，10
入口温度/℃	25
出口压力/MPa	0
参考压力/MPa	0.101325
饱和蒸气压力/Pa	3169.9

Fig.4 Model validation of labyrinth channel

Fig.5 Pressure profiles in the intermediate section of labyrinth channels with different structures

Fig.6 Pressure variation along different structural detection lines

Fig.7 Pressure distribution along different structural detection sections

Fig.8 Velocity profiles in the intermediate section of labyrinth channels with different structures

Fig.9 Velocity X variation along detection lines with different inlet pressure

Fig.10 The outlet flow rate of different channel structure with various inlet pressures

Fig.11 Vapour volume fraction distribution at intermediate section of labyrinth channels with different structures

Fig.12 Vapour volume fraction distribution along detection lines under different inlet pressure

Fig.13 Simulation cloud image of the middle section of optimized flow channel structure: pressure(a), flow rate(b), vapour volume fraction(c)

Fig.14 Comparison of vapour volume fraction after optimization of sectorial cylinder channel

Fig.15 Cavitation distribution of water-droplet structures with different sizes

Fig.16 Vapour volume fraction and mass flow of different water-droplet structures

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