Non-Nuclear Fluidics-Vortex Choke Valves
The basic Vortex Choke Valve concept relies upon various applications of a vortex amplifier. A main flow passes radially though the vortex chamber and exits an axial port with minimal pressure loss. The main flow can be regulated and controlled by a control flow introduced tangentially into the vortex chamber. The control flow deflects the inlet flow into a vortex so reducing the main inlet flow. Increasing the control flow increases the pressure drop created by the vortex and the main flow is further reduced
(i) High flow mode (ii) Main flow modulation
The Vortex Choke Valve technology has been the subject of five patent families, currently consisting of eight granted patents and two pending applications.
There is also key know how and a considerable database associated with the testing of the Vortex Choke Valve that is considered relevant background material to the development of the Vortex Choke Valve. This includes a considerable volume of reports, designs and valve characterisation programs.
Vortex Valve Experience
FLUID |
Op
Pressure |
Pressure
Drop |
Flowrate |
Type |
Duty |
- |
Bar |
Bar |
Nm3/hr |
- |
- |
Air
Water
Water
Methane
Water
Water/air
C10 & C1
Air/sand
Water |
1
130
5
31
100
100
15
3
45 |
0.001
15
15
26
80
80
15
3
45 |
100
65
65
100
14
14
16
300
400 |
Ambient
Turbulent
Turbulent
Choked
Critical
2 phase
flashing
erosive
cavitating |
Ventillation
Choke valve
Choke valve
Choke valve
Choke valve
Choke valve
Choke valve
Choke valve
TUVA |
Accentus is formulating a further focused programme of development to provide a proven valve design specifically for use in non-nuclear applications.
benefits of Vortex Choke Valve
The potential benefits offered by a Vortex Choke Valve are:
- Low erosion susceptibility, as high velocities are located away from metal surfaces. (Note that for a given pressure drop, the minimum throat diameter in a vortex chamber is approx twice that of an equivalent orifice).
- Main valve contains no moving parts hence inherent reliability
- Avoids erosion and reduces the likelihood of impact damage to the tandem conventional valve since this valve is in a normally open rather than throttled position.
- Potential to integrate vortex and conventional valve within same casting.
- Vortex component used for shut down and for high pressure, low flow end of characteristic that is problematical for conventional valves.
- Combination allows a valve with a wider turn down characteristic e.g. 200:1 on flow [Vortex valve 10:1 and the conventional valve 20:1].
- Potentially fast response.
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