CAE for Valve Industry

Scope of CAE

FSI- Thermal & Structural Analysis

Multiphase- Cavitation Analysis
Leakage Analysis- Energy loss

FSI- Fluid Structure

Interaction
Why FSI?
Captures the effect of fluid flow on the solid
structure & vice-versa.
Useful in calculating dynamic forces acting
on the valve internal walls which in turn helps
in calculating the stresses acting on the
structure.
For high temperature flows, temperature
effects on valve internal walls can be
determined.

Thermal & Structural analysis- FSI

approach
Temperature
fields on the
internal walls is
first obtained as a
result of flow
analysis through
CFD.
With the known
temperature
fields a thermal
analysis using a
FEA solver is the
next step which
gives out thermal
stresses acting.
A thermal fatigue
analysis can be
performed next to
determine the life
of the valve (or

Thermal & Structural analysis- FSI

approach- Contd..
The dynamic
forces acting
on the internal
walls of the
valve caused
by the internal
flow is first
obtained.
These dynamic
forces are then
exported to a
FEA solver to
calculate the
mechanical
stresses acting
on the valve
structure.

Multi-phase- Cavitation
analysis
Small areas inside the
valve trim fall below the
vapor pressure of the
fluid causing small vapor
bubbles to form and then
collapse again as the
flow progresses to a
region in the valve
where the local pressure
is above the local vapor
pressure.
This bubble collapse is
cavitation and can be
very destructive
especially if the bubble
collapse occurs close to
the body wall of the
valve.

Multi-phase- Cavitation analysis- Contd..

Note the low pressure regions at the

corners near the outlet- these are the
potential cavitation zones

Modern CFD codes

such as Fluent
have a multiphase
cavitation model
that recognizes
when the fluid
drops below the
local vapor
pressure,
implements the
phase change as
well as the
momentum
transfer between
the phases. The
result is an
accurate picture
inside the valve
showing not only
where the
cavitation and

Leakage Analysis

Using CFD, it is possible to detect any

leakages if present for the fully closed
stem position.
It helps in optimizing the clearance
between the stem & the seat, so that
stem can be operated easily.

Leakage leads to loss of

energy (pressure) which
directly affects the efficiency
of the process it is employed
in.

Conclusion
Thus, CAE analysis would help us
achieve The design of valve can be optimized
to withstand mechanical forces acting
on it with high durability.
The region of critical thermal stresses
could be found out and proper initial
measures could be taken.
The amount of leakage in any valve can
be predicted and design alteration
could be analyzed to reduce the
leakage. There by enhancing the