Abstract
This paper describes experimental results and discussions regarding pipeline flow control using constant flow valve installed at midway of the pipeline. Two types of direct acting constant flow valve (fixed flow rate and variable flow rate) were tested using a test-pipeline located in Ohno Mountain of Kagoshima. The result indicated that both types of valve controlled the flow rates of pipeline, and the performance in terms of flow control was similar. A considerable issue of the flow control approach was the cavitation continuously generated when pressure was negative at the downstream side of the constant flow valve, because it damages the valves. The approach should be taken with any kind of devise on pipeline system design, such as by slope design at downstream side of the valve. Throughout the experiment, self-induced vibration, by setting up automatic pressure reducing valve and constant flow valve in series, was not confirmed.
