Turbulent Flow Through Valves of Reciprocating Compressors

The present work considers the modeling of turbulent flow in reed type valves of reciprocating compressors and is based on a simplified geometry of the actual valve, that is, a radial diffuser with axial feeding. Despite its simplicity the geometry chosen for the analysis has important flow features present in practical geometries. Due to its claimed capability to predict flow including features such as recirculating region, curvature and adverse pressure gradient (all of them present in the flow considered here), the RNG k-f model of Orzag et al. (1993) has been applied in the present numerical analysis, which is based on the finite volume methodology. Numerical results of pressure distribution along the front disc, for different valve lifts s and Reynolds numbers Re, when compared to experimental data showed that the RNG k-E model can predict quite successfully the flow.