Modeling and Comparison of the Effect of Surface Roughness in Ball and Butterfly Valves on Cavitation Formation and Energy Loss in the National Gas Distribution Network

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Khatam Al-Anbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran

2 Msc. Student, Energy Systems engineering, Khatam Al-Anbia University of Technology, Behbahan, Iran; Senior Engineer at Behbahan Gas Distribution Company

3 Senior Engineer at south pars gas complex

10.22059/ses.2025.390078.1119

Abstract

Industrial valves, particularly ball and butterfly valves, play a crucial role in flow and pressure control within gas distribution networks. One of the major operational challenges in these valves is cavitation, which occurs due to a drop in fluid pressure inside the valve, leading to severe damage to internal surfaces and reduced service life. This study models and analyzes the impact of surface roughness on cavitation formation in ball and butterfly valves used in gas distribution systems. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were conducted under identical conditions to examine the influence of surface roughness on cavitation intensity. The results indicate that increased surface roughness creates localized stress concentrations in the flow, making these regions more prone to severe cavitation, particularly in valves with rougher surfaces. Additionally, variations in valve geometry, surface roughness, inlet pressure, and fluid temperature significantly affect cavitation distribution and intensity. These findings highlight the potential for optimizing valve design to minimize cavitation damage, enhance durability, and reduce maintenance costs in gas distribution systems.

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Journal of sustainable Energy Systems
Volume 4, Issue 2
April 2025
Pages 139-155

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