Performance test and flow visualization of ball valve

The performance, flow patterns and cavitation phenomena of a ball valve are studied experimentally. Various patterns of flows in and downstream the ball valves with respect to different valve openings and inlet velocities are visualized using a particle tracking flow visualization method (PTFV). Meanwhile, cavitation phenomena are observed under certain conditions. Coefficients regarding to the performance of valve are determined by pressure and flow rate measurements. The correlations between the valve performance and the flow patterns are presented and discussed. The proposed method provides an effective way to determine the performance coefficients of a valve and to understand the condition for the inception of cavitation.