Reduction of Cavitation around a Butterfly Valve by Perforated Plates

(Effect of Perforated Plates Installed behind from the Valve)

Abstract

The cavitation around a butterfly valve occurs because of the large flow separation behind the valve body and the interference of the flow from the nozzle side and the flow from the orifice side. To avoid this cavitation, the installation of perforated plates behind the valve are proposed in this study. From the experimental results, the cavitation noise can be reduced by the perforated plates. It was confirmed by the numerical analysis that the holes of the plates were helpful for pressure recovery behind the valve body. Butterfly valves are widely used in industry because of their compactness and simple construction. Many kinds of anti-cavitation valves have been proposed, however, those are relatively expensive and the structures are complicated. The installations of perforated plates are very easy and very effective in practical use.