Nozzle type check valves are often employed in compressor stations in three locations: compressor outlet, station discharge, and station bypass. The fundamental design concept of these valves is based on creating a converging diverging flow through the valve internal geometry such that a minimum area is achieved at a location corresponding to the back of the check valve disk at the fully open position. This will ensure maximum hydrodynamic force coefficient which allows the valve to be fully open with minimum flow. Spring forces and stiffness determine the performance of this type of check valves and impact the overall operation and integrity of the compressor station. This paper examines the effects of various spring characteristics and stiffness in relation to the compressor and station flow characteristics. The results show that when the spring forces are higher than the maximum hydrodynamic force at minimum flow, the disk will not be at the fully open position, which will give rise to disk fluttering and potential for cyclic high velocity impact between components of the internal valve assembly. This could lead to self destruction of the check valve and subsequent risk of damage to the compressor unit itself. The paper also points to the fact that the spring selection criteria for a unit check valve are different than that for station and bypass check valves. An example of a case study with actual field data from a high pressure ratio compressor station employing this type of check valves is presented to illustrate the associated dynamic phenomena and fluid-structure interaction within the internal assembly of the check valve.
Skip Nav Destination
e-mail: botrosk@novachem.com
Article navigation
December 2011
Research Papers
Spring Stiffness Selection Criteria for Nozzle Check Valves Employed in Compressor Stations
K. K. Botros
e-mail: botrosk@novachem.com
K. K. Botros
NOVA Research & Technology Center
, 2928 16 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Search for other works by this author on:
K. K. Botros
NOVA Research & Technology Center
, 2928 16 Street NE, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
e-mail: botrosk@novachem.com
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. Dec 2011, 133(12): 122401 (11 pages)
Published Online: August 31, 2011
Article history
Received:
April 8, 2011
Revised:
April 9, 2011
Online:
August 31, 2011
Published:
August 31, 2011
Citation
Botros, K. K. (August 31, 2011). "Spring Stiffness Selection Criteria for Nozzle Check Valves Employed in Compressor Stations." ASME. J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power. December 2011; 133(12): 122401. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4004113
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
Blade Excitation Alleviation of a Nozzleless Radial Turbine by Casing Treatment Based on Reduced Order Mode
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Design And Testing of a Compact, Reverse Brayton Cycle, Air (R729) Cooling Machine
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Experimental Study on Liquid Jet Trajectory in Cross Flow of Swirling Air at Elevated Pressure Condition
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power
Related Articles
Transient Analysis of a Spring-Loaded Pressure Safety Valve Using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
J. Pressure Vessel Technol (October,2010)
Development and Application of a Complete Multijet Common-Rail Injection-System Mathematical Model for Hydrodynamic Analysis and Diagnostics
J. Eng. Gas Turbines Power (November,2008)
Hydrodynamic Characterization of a Nozzle Check Valve by Numerical Simulation
J. Fluids Eng (December,2008)
Optimization of Performance Characteristics of Electropneumatic (Two-Stage) Servo Valve
J. Dyn. Sys., Meas., Control (June,2004)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
Description of Rules of Section XII Transport Tank Code
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, Volume 2, Fourth Edition
A Simple Carburetor
Case Studies in Fluid Mechanics with Sensitivities to Governing Variables
Functionality and Operability Criteria
Companion Guide to the ASME Boiler & Pressure Vessel Code, Volume 2, Second Edition: Criteria and Commentary on Select Aspects of the Boiler & Pressure Vessel and Piping Codes