Finite volume model for numerical simulation on dynamic process of pressure reducing regulator

A gas volume model suitable for vessels with variable volume was obtained by developing the finite element state-variable model of one-dimensional ideal gas flow. Based on the model, combining with the finite element model of gas pipe and gas valve, a finite volume model (FVM) was put forward to simulate the dynamic process of gas pressure reducing regulator. Then by employing FVM, two kinds of regulators were simulated. The simulation of a converse and unloading regulator with diaphragm shows that FVM can satisfy steady precision requirement by comparison with the experimental and simulation data in earlier literature. The simulation of a regulator in tank pressurization system gave the response curves of opening of valve core and state variables in every cavities, which show that the pressurizing process can be divided into two stages including start-up and steady. The curves also indicate that temperature in low-pressure cavity is almost the same with temperature in high-pressure cavity for one-dimensional ideal gas adiabatic How. Accordingly, the mathematical model and the method of modeling are validated to be effective and versatile.