Check Valve (G)

Valve for limiting flow to a single (forward) direction

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Description

The Check Valve (G) block models an orifice with a unidirectional opening mechanism to prevent unwanted backflow. The opening mechanism, often spring-loaded by design, responds to pressure, (typically) opening the orifice when the pressure gradient across it falls from inlet (port A) to outlet (port B), but forcing it shut otherwise. Check valves protect components upstream against pressure surges, temperature spikes, and (in real systems) chemical contamination stemming from points downstream.

The valve opens by degrees, beginning at its cracking pressure, and continuing to the end of its pressure regulation range. The cracking pressure gives the initial resistance, due to friction or spring forces, that the valve must overcome to open by a sliver (or to crack open). Below this threshold, the valve is closed and only leakage flow can pass. Past the end of the pressure regulation range, the valve is fully open and the flow at a maximum (determined by the instantaneous pressure conditions).

The cracking pressure assumes an important role in check valves installed upside down. There, the weight of the opening element—such as a ball or piston—and the elevation head of the fluid can act to open the valve. (The elevation head can arise in a model from a pipe upstream of the inlet when it is vertical or given a slant.) A sufficient cracking pressure keeps the valve from opening inadvertently even if placed at a disadvantageous angle.

The flow can be laminar or turbulent, and it can reach (up to) sonic speeds. This happens at the vena contracta, a point just past the throat of the valve where the flow is both its narrowest and fastest. The flow then chokes and its velocity saturates, with a drop in downstream pressure no longer sufficing to increase its velocity. Choking occurs when the back-pressure ratio hits a critical value characteristic of the valve. Supersonic flow is not captured by the block.

Control and Other Pressures

The pressure to which the valve responds is its control pressure. In a typical check valve (and by default in this block), that pressure is the drop from inlet to outlet. This setting ensures that the valve in fact closes if the direction of flow should reverse.

For special cases, an alternative control pressure is provided: the gauge pressure at the inlet. Use it if you know that the inlet will always be at a higher pressure than the outlet (for example, when the inlet connects to a pressure source, such as a pump).

You can select an appropriate control pressure for your model—either Pressure differential or Pressure at port A (gauge)—using the Pressure control specification dropdown list.

Pressure Differential

When the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure differential, the control pressure is computed as:

$$p_{\text{Ctl}}=p_{\text{A}}-p_{\text{B}},$$

where p is instantaneous pressure. The subscript Ctl denotes the control value and the subscripts A and B the inlet and outlet, respectively. The port pressures are instantaneous values determined (against absolute zero) during simulation. The cracking pressure is likewise defined as:

$$P_{\text{Crk}}={\left[P_{\text{A}}-P_{\text{B}}\right]}_{\text{Crk}},$$

where P is a constant pressure parameter. The subscript Crk denotes the cracking value (here a differential). The term in parentheses is obtained as a constant from the Cracking pressure differential block parameter. Similarly for the maximum pressure of the valve (at which the valve is fully open):

$$P_{\text{Max}}={\left[P_{\text{A}}-P_{\text{B}}\right]}_{\text{Max}},$$

where the subscript Max denotes the maximum value of the valve. Here too the term in parentheses is obtained as a constant, from the Maximum opening pressure differential block parameter.

Pressure at port A

When the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure at port A, the control pressure is computed as:

$$p_{\text{Ctl}}=p_{\text{A}}.$$

The port pressure is an instantaneous value determined (against absolute zero) during simulation. For the cracking pressure:

$$P_{\text{Crk}}=P_{\text{A,Crk}}+P_{\text{Atm}},$$

where the subscript A,Crk denotes the cracking value, specified as a gauge pressure at port A. This value is obtained as a constant from the Cracking pressure (gauge) block parameter. The subscript Atm denotes the atmospheric value (specified in the Gas Properties (G) block of the model). The maximum pressure of the valve is:

$$P_{\text{Max}}=P_{\text{A,Max}}+P_{\text{Atm}},$$

where the subscript A,Max denotes the maximum value, specified as a gauge pressure at port A. This value is obtained as a constant from the Maximum opening pressure (gauge) block parameter.

Control Pressure Overshoot

The degree to which the control pressure exceeds the cracking pressure determines how much the valve will open. The pressure overshoot is expressed here as a fraction of the (width of the) pressure regulation range:

$$\widehat{p}=\frac{p_{\text{Ctl}}-P_{\text{Crk}}}{P_{\text{Max}}-P_{\text{Crk}}}.$$

The control pressure (p_Ctl), cracking pressure (p_Set), and maximum opening pressure (P_Max) correspond to the control pressure specification chosen (Pressure differential or Pressure at port A).

The fraction—technically, the overshoot normalized—is valued at 0 in the fully closed valve and 1 in the fully open valve. If the calculation should return a value outside of these bounds, the nearest of the two is used instead. (In other words, the fraction saturates at 0 and 1.)

Numerical Smoothing

The normalized control pressure, p, spans three pressure regions. Below the cracking pressure of the valve, its value is a constant zero. Above the maximum pressure of the same, it is 1. In between, it varies, as a linear function of the (effective) control pressure, p_Ctl.

The transitions between the regions are sharp and their slopes discontinuous. These pose a challenge to variable-step solvers (the sort commonly used with Simscape models). To precisely capture discontinuities, referred to in some contexts as zero crossing events, the solver must reduce its time step, pausing briefly at the time of the crossing in order to recompute its Jacobian matrix (a representation of the dependencies between the state variables of the model and their time derivatives).

This solver strategy is efficient and robust when discontinuities are present. It makes the solver less prone to convergence errors—but it can considerably extend the time needed to finish the simulation run, perhaps excessively so for practical use in real-time simulation. An alternative approach, used here, is to remove the discontinuities altogether.

Normalized pressure overshoot with sharp transitions

The block removes the discontinuities by smoothing them over a specified time scale. The smoothing, which adds a slight distortion to the normalized inlet pressure, ensures that the valve eases into its limiting positions rather than snap (abruptly) into them. The smoothing is optional: you can disable it by setting its time scale to zero. The shape and scale of the smoothing, when applied, derives in part from the cubic polynomials:

$${\lambda }_{\text{L}}=3{\overline{p}}_{\text{L}}^2-2{\overline{p}}_{\text{L}}^3$$

and

$${\lambda }_{\text{R}}=3{\overline{p}}_{\text{R}}^2-2{\overline{p}}_{\text{R}}^3,$$

where

$${\overline{p}}_{\text{L}}=\frac{\widehat{p}}{\Delta p^{*}}$$

and

$${\overline{p}}_{\text{R}}=\frac{\widehat{p}-\left(1-\Delta p^{*}\right)}{\Delta p^{*}}.$$

In the equations:

• ƛ_L is the smoothing expression for the transition from the maximally closed position.

• ƛ_R is the smoothing expression for the transition from the fully open position.

• Δp^* is the (unitless) characteristic width of the pressure smoothing region:

  $$\Delta p^{*}=f^{*}\frac{1}{2},$$

  where f^* is a smoothing factor valued between 0 and 1 and obtained from the block parameter of the same name.

  When the smoothing factor is 0, the normalized inlet pressure stays in its original form—no smoothing applied—and its transitions remain abrupt. When it is 1, the smoothing spans the whole of the pressure regulation range (with the normalized inlet pressure taking the shape of an S-curve).

  At intermediate values, the smoothing is limited to a fraction of that range. A value of 0.5, for example, will smooth the transitions over a quarter of the pressure regulation range on each side (for a total smooth region of half the regulation range).

The smoothing adds two new regions to the normalized pressure overshoot—one for the smooth transition on the left, another for that on the right, giving a total of five regions. These are expressed in the piecewise function:

$${\widehat{p}}^{*}=\{\begin{array}{ll}0,\hfill & \widehat{p}\le 0\hfill \\ \widehat{p}{\lambda }_{\text{L}},\hfill & \widehat{p}<\Delta P^{*}\hfill \\ \widehat{p},\hfill & \widehat{p}\le 1-\Delta P^{*}\hfill \\ \widehat{p}\left(1-{\lambda }_{\text{R}}\right)+{\lambda }_{\text{R}},\hfill & \widehat{p}<1\hfill \\ 1\hfill & \widehat{p}\ge 1\hfill \end{array},$$

where the asterisk denotes a smoothed variable (the normalized control pressure overshoot). The figure shows the effect of smoothing on the sharpness of the transitions.

Sonic Conductance

As the normalized control pressure varies during simulation, so does the mass flow rate through the valve. The relationship between the two variables, however, is indirect. The mass flow rate is defined in terms of the valve's sonic conductance and it is this quantity that the normalized inlet pressure determines.

Sonic conductance, if you are unfamiliar with it, describes the ease with which a gas will flow when it is choked—when its velocity is at its theoretical maximum (the local speed of sound). Its measurement and calculation are covered in detail in the ISO 6358 standard (on which this block is based).

Only one value is commonly reported in valve data sheets: one taken at steady state in the fully open position. This is the same specified in the Sonic conductance at maximum flow parameter when the Valve parameterization setting is Sonic conductance. For values across the opening range of the valve, this maximum is scaled by the normalized pressure overshoot:

$$C=\left(C_{\text{Max}}-C_{\text{Min}}\right)\widehat{p}+C_{\text{Min}},$$

where C is sonic conductance and the subscripts Max and Min denote its values in the fully open and fully closed valve.

Other Parameterizations

Because sonic conductance may not be available (or the most convenient choice for your model), the block provides several equivalent parameterizations. Use the Valve parameterization drop-down list to select the best for the data at hand. The parameterizations are:

• Restriction area

• Sonic conductance

• Cv coefficient (USCS)

• Kv coefficient (SI)

The parameterizations differ only in the data that they require of you. Their mass flow rate calculations are still based on sonic conductance. If you select a parameterization other than Sonic conductance, then the block converts the alternate data—the (computed) opening area or a (specified) flow coefficient—into an equivalent sonic conductance.

Flow Coefficients

The flow coefficients measure what is, at bottom, the same quantity—the flow rate through the valve at some agreed-upon temperature and pressure differential. They differ only in the standard conditions used in their definition and in the physical units used in their expression:

• C_v is measured at a generally accepted temperature of 60 ℉ and pressure drop of 1 PSI; it is expressed in imperial units of US gpm. This is the flow coefficient used in the model when the Valve parameterization block parameter is set to Cv coefficient (USCS).

• K_v is measured at a generally accepted temperature of 15 ℃ and pressure drop of 1 bar; it is expressed in metric units of m3/h. This is the flow coefficient used in the model when the Valve parameterization block parameter is set to Kv coefficient (SI).

Sonic Conductance Conversions

If the valve parameterization is set to Cv Coefficient (USCS), the sonic conductance is computed at the maximally closed and fully open valve positions from the Cv coefficient (SI) at maximum flow and Cv coefficient (SI) at leakage flow block parameters:

$$C=\left(4\times {10}^{-8}{C}_{\text{v}}\right)m^3/(sPa),$$

where C_v is the flow coefficient value at maximum or leakage flow. The subsonic index, m, is set to 0.5 and the critical pressure ratio, b_cr, is set to 0.3. (These are used in the mass flow rate calculations given in the Momentum Balance section.)

If the Kv coefficient (SI) parameterization is used instead, the sonic conductance is computed at the same valve positions (maximally closed and fully open) from the Kv coefficient (USCS) at maximum flow and Kv coefficient (USCS) at leakage flow block parameters:

$$C=\left(4.758\times {10}^{-8}{K}_{\text{v}}\right)m^3/(sPa),$$

where K_v is the flow coefficient value at maximum or leakage flow. The subsonic index, m, is set to 0.5 and the critical pressure ratio, b_cr, is set to 0.3.

For the Restriction area parameterization, the sonic conductance is computed (at the same valve positions) from the Maximum opening area, and Leakage area block parameters:

$$C=\left(0.128\times 4S/\pi \right)L/(sbar),$$

where S is the opening area at maximum or leakage flow. The subsonic index, m, is set to 0.5 while the critical pressure ratio, b_cr is computed from the expression:

$$0.41+0.272{\left[\frac{\widehat{p}\left(S_{\text{Max}}-S_{\text{Leak}}\right)+S_{\text{Leak}}}{S}\right]}^{0.25}.$$

Momentum Balance

The causes of those pressure losses incurred in the passages of the valve are ignored in the block. Whatever their natures—sudden area changes, flow passage contortions—only their cumulative effect is considered during simulation. This effect is assumed to reflect entirely in the sonic conductance of the valve (or in the data of the alternate valve parameterizations).

Mass Flow Rate

When the flow is choked, the mass flow rate is a function of the sonic conductance of the valve and of the thermodynamic conditions (pressure and temperature) established at the inlet. The function is linear with respect to pressure:

$${\dot{m}}_{\text{ch}}=C{\rho }_{\text{0}}{p}_{\text{in}}\sqrt{\frac{T_{\text{0}}}{T_{\text{in}}}},$$

where:

• C is the sonic conductance inside the valve. Its value is obtained from the block parameter of the same name or by conversion of other block parameters (the exact source depending on the Valve parameterization setting).

• ρ is the gas density, here at standard conditions (subscript 0), obtained from the Reference density block parameter.

• p is the absolute gas pressure, here corresponding to the inlet (in).

• T is the gas temperature at the inlet (in) or at standard conditions (0), the latter obtained from the Reference temperature block parameter.

When the flow is subsonic, and therefore no longer choked, the mass flow rate becomes a nonlinear function of pressure—both that at the inlet as well as the reduced value at the outlet. In the turbulent flow regime (with the outlet pressure contained in the back-pressure ratio of the valve), the mass flow rate expression is:

$${\dot{m}}_{\text{tur}}=C{\rho }_{\text{0}}{p}_{\text{in}}\sqrt{\frac{T_{\text{0}}}{T_{\text{in}}}}{\left[1-{\left(\frac{p_{\text{r}}-b_{\text{cr}}}{1-b_{\text{cr}}}\right)}^2\right]}^m,$$

where:

• p_r is the back-pressure ratio, or that between the outlet pressure (p_out) and the inlet pressure (p_in):

  $$P_{\text{r}}=\frac{p_{\text{out}}}{p_{\text{in}}}$$

• b_cr is the critical pressure ratio at which the flow becomes choked. Its value is obtained from the block parameter of the same name or by conversion of other block parameters (the exact source depending on the Valve parameterization setting).

• m is the subsonic index, an empirical coefficient used to more accurately characterize the behavior of subsonic flows. Its value is obtained from the block parameter of the same name or by conversion of other block parameters (the exact source depending on the Valve parameterization setting).

When the flow is laminar (and still subsonic), the mass flow rate expression changes to:

$${\dot{m}}_{\text{lam}}=C{\rho }_{\text{0}}{p}_{\text{in}}\left[\frac{1-p_{\text{r}}}{1-b_{\text{lam}}}\right]\sqrt{\frac{T_{\text{0}}}{T_{\text{in}}}}{\left[1-{\left(\frac{b_{\text{lam}}-b_{\text{cr}}}{1-b_{\text{cr}}}\right)}^2\right]}^m$$

where b_lam is the critical pressure ratio at which the flow transitions between laminar and turbulent regimes (obtained from the Laminar flow pressure ratio block parameter). Combining the mass flow rate expressions into a single (piecewise) function, gives:

$$\dot{m}=\{\begin{array}{ll}{\dot{m}}_{\text{lam}},\hfill & b_{\text{lam}}\le p_{\text{r}}<1\hfill \\ {\dot{m}}_{\text{tur}},\hfill & b_{\text{cr}}\le p_{\text{r}}<p_{\text{lam}}\hfill \\ {\dot{m}}_{\text{ch}},\hfill & p_{\text{r}}<b_{\text{Cr}}\hfill \end{array},$$

with the top row corresponding to subsonic and laminar flow, the middle row to subsonic and turbulent flow, and the bottom row to choked (and therefore sonic) flow.

Mass Balance

The volume of fluid inside the valve, and therefore the mass of the same, is assumed to be very small and it is, for modeling purposes, ignored. As a result, no amount of gas can accumulate there. By the principle of conservation of mass, the mass flow rate into the valve through one port must therefore equal that out of the valve through the other port:

$${\dot{m}}_A+{\dot{m}}_B=0,$$

where $$\dot{m}$$ is defined as the mass flow rate into the valve through port A or B. Note that in this block the flow can reach but not exceed sonic speeds.

Energy Balance

The valve is modeled as an adiabatic component. No heat exchange can occur between the gas and the wall that surrounds it. No work is done on or by the gas as it traverses from inlet to outlet. With these assumptions, energy can flow by advection only, through ports A and B. By the principle of conservation of energy, the sum of the port energy flows must then always equal zero:

$${\varphi }_{\text{A}}+{\varphi }_{\text{B}}=0,$$

where ϕ is defined as the energy flow rate into the valve through one of the ports (A or B).

Ports

Conserving

A — Valve entrance

gas

Opening through which the working fluid must enter the valve.

B — Valve entrance

gas

Opening through which the working fluid must exit the valve.

Parameters

Pressure control specification — Choice of pressure measurement to use as valve control signal

Pressure differential (default) | Pressure at port A

Choice of pressure measurement to use as valve control signal. The block uses this setting to determine when the valve should begin to open. In the default setting (Pressure differential), the opening pressure of the valve is expressed as a pressure drop from inlet to outlet. In the alternative setting (Pressure at port A), it is expressed as an absolute inlet pressure.

Cracking pressure differential — Pressure drop, from inlet to outlet, required to open the valve

0.01 MPa (default) | positive scalar in units of pressure

Minimum pressure drop from inlet to outlet required to open the valve. This value marks the beginning of the pressure differential range of the valve (over which it progressively opens to allow for increased flow).

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure differential.

Maximum opening pressure differential — Pressure drop, from inlet to outlet, at which the valve is fully open

0.02 MPa (default) | positive scalar in units of pressure

Pressure drop from inlet to outlet at which the valve is fully open. This value marks the end of the pressure differential range of the valve (over which the same progressively opens to allow for increased flow).

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure differential.

Cracking pressure (gauge) — Minimum gauge pressure at the inlet required to open the valve

0.01 MPa (default) | positive scalar in units of pressure

Minimum gauge pressure at the inlet (port A) required to open the valve. This value marks the beginning of the pressure range of the valve (over which the same progressively opens to allow for increased flow).

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure at port A.

Maximum opening pressure (gauge) — Pressure drop, from inlet to outlet, at which the valve is fully open

0.02 MPa (default) | positive scalar in units of pressure

Pressure drop from inlet to outlet at which the valve is fully open. This value marks the end of the pressure differential range of the valve (over which the same progressively opens to allow for increased flow).

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Pressure control specification parameter is set to Pressure at port A.

Valve parameterization — Method by which to characterize the opening of the valve

Sonic conductance (default) | Cv coefficient (USCS) | Kv coefficient (SI) | Restriction area

Choice of ISO method to use in the calculation of mass flow rate. All calculations are based on the Sonic conductance parameterization; if a different option is selected, the data specified in converted into equivalent sonic conductance, critical pressure ratio, and subsonic index. See the block description for more information on the conversion.

This parameter determines which measures of valve opening you must specify—and therefore which of those measures appear as parameters in the block dialog box.

Sonic conductance at maximum flow — Measure of maximum flow rate at reference upstream conditions

1.6 l/s/bar (default) | positive scalar in units of volume/time/pressure

Equivalent measure of the maximum flow rate allowed through the valve at some reference inlet conditions, generally those outlined in ISO 8778. The flow is at a maximum when the valve is fully open and the flow velocity is choked (it being saturated at the local speed of sound). This is the value generally reported by manufacturers in technical data sheets.

Sonic conductance is defined as the ratio of the mass flow rate through the valve to the product of the pressure and density upstream of the valve inlet. This parameter is often referred to in the literature as the C-value.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Sonic conductance.

Sonic conductance at leakage flow — Measure of minimum flow rate at reference upstream conditions

1e-5 l/s/bar (default) | positive scalar in units of volume/time/pressure

Equivalent measure of the minimum flow rate allowed through the valve at some reference inlet conditions, generally those outlined in ISO 8778. The flow is at a minimum when the valve is maximally closed and only a small leakage area—due to sealing imperfections, say, or natural valve tolerances—remains between its ports.

Sonic conductance is defined as the ratio of the mass flow rate through the valve to the product of the pressure and density upstream of the valve inlet. This parameter is often referred to in the literature as the C-value.

This parameter serves primarily to ensure that closure of the valve does not cause portions of the gas network to become isolated (a condition known to cause problems in simulation). The exact value specified here is less important that its being a (very small) number greater than zero.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Sonic conductance.

Critical pressure ratio — Back-pressure ratio, at reference upstream conditions, at which the flow rate is a maximum

0.3 (default) | positive unitless scalar

Ratio of downstream to upstream absolute pressures at which the flow becomes choked (and its velocity becomes saturated at the local speed of sound). This parameter is often referred to in the literature as the b-value. Enter a number greater than or equal to zero and smaller than the Laminar flow pressure ratio block parameter.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Sonic conductance.

Subsonic index — Exponent used to more accurately characterize flow in the subsonic regime

0.5 (default) | positive unitless scalar

Empirical exponent used to more accurately calculate the mass flow rate through the valve when the flow is subsonic. This parameter is sometimes referred to as the m-index. Its value is approximately 0.5 for valves (and other components) whose flow paths are fixed.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Sonic conductance.

Cv coefficient (USCS) at maximum flow — Flow coefficient of the fully open valve expressed in US customary units

0.4 (default) | positive scalar in units of ft^3/min

Flow coefficient of the fully open valve, expressed in the US customary units of ft3/min (as described in NFPA T3.21.3). This parameter measures the relative ease with which the gas will traverse the valve when driven by a given pressure differential. This is the value generally reported by manufacturers in technical data sheets.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Cv coefficient (USCS).

Cv coefficient (USCS) at leakage flow — Flow coefficient of the maximally closed valve expressed in US customary units

1e-6 (default) | positive scalar in units of ft^3/min

Flow coefficient of the maximally closed valve, expressed in the US customary units of ft3/min (as described in NFPA T3.21.3). This parameter measures the relative ease with which the gas will traverse the valve when driven by a given pressure differential.

The purpose of this parameter is primarily to ensure that closure of the valve does not cause portions of the gas network to become isolated (a condition known to cause problems in simulation). The exact value specified here is less important that its being a (very small) number greater than zero.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Cv coefficient (USCS).

Kv coefficient (SI) at maximum flow — Flow coefficient of the fully open valve expressed in SI units

0.3 (default) | positive scalar in units of L/min

Flow coefficient of the fully open valve, expressed in the SI units of L/min. This parameter measures the relative ease with which the gas will traverse the valve when driven by a given pressure differential. This is the value generally reported by manufacturers in technical data sheets.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Kv coefficient (SI).

Kv coefficient (SI) at leakage flow — Flow coefficient of the maximally closed valve expressed in SI units

1e-6 (default) | positive scalar in units of L/min

Flow coefficient of the maximally closed valve, expressed in the SI units of L/min. This parameter measures the relative ease with which the gas will traverse the valve when driven by a given pressure differential.

The purpose of this parameter is primarily to ensure that closure of the valve does not cause portions of the gas network to become isolated (a condition known to cause problems in simulation). The exact value specified here is less important that its being a (very small) number greater than zero.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Kv coefficient (SI).

Maximum opening area — Opening area in the fully open position due to sealing imperfections

1e-4 m^2 (default) | positive scalar in units of area

Opening area of the valve in the fully open position, when the valve is at the upper limit of the pressure regulation range. The block uses this parameter to scale the chosen measure of valve opening—sonic conductance, say, or C_V flow coefficient—throughout the pressure regulation range.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Restriction area.

Leakage area — Opening area in the maximally closed position due to sealing imperfections

1e-12 m^2 (default) | positive scalar in units of area

Opening area of the valve in the maximally closed position, when only internal leakage between the ports remains. This parameter serves primarily to ensure that closure of the valve does not cause portions of the gas network to become isolated (a condition known to cause problems in simulation). The exact value specified here is less important that its being a (very small) number greater than zero.

Dependencies

This parameter is active and exposed in the block dialog box when the Valve parameterization setting is Restriction area.

Cross-sectional area at ports A and B — Area normal to the flow path at the valve ports

0.01 m^2 (default) | positive scalar in units of area

Area normal to the flow path at the valve ports. The ports are assumed to be the same in size. The flow area specified here should ideally match those of the inlets of adjoining components.

Laminar flow pressure ratio — Pressure ratio at which the flow transitions between laminar and turbulent

0.999 (default) | positive unitless scalar

Pressure ratio at which the flow transitions between laminar and turbulent flow regimes. The pressure ratio is the fraction of the absolute pressure downstream of the valve over that just upstream of it. The flow is laminar when the actual pressure ratio is above the threshold specified here and turbulent when it is below. Typical values range from 0.995 to 0.999.

Reference temperature — Inlet temperature used in the measurement of sonic conductance

293.15 K (default) | positive scalar in units of temperature

Absolute temperature used at the inlet in the measurement of sonic conductance (as defined in ISO 8778).

Reference density — Inlet density used in the measurement of sonic conductance

1.185 (default) | positive scalar in units of density

Gas density established at the inlet in the measurement of sonic conductance (as defined in ISO 8778).

Smoothing factor — Amount of smoothing to apply to the valve opening area function

0 (default)

Amount of smoothing to apply to the opening area function of the valve. This parameter determines the widths of the regions to be smoothed—one located at the fully open position, the other at the fully closed position.

The smoothing superposes on each region of the opening area function a nonlinear segment (a third-order polynomial function, from which the smoothing arises). The greater the value specified here, the greater the smoothing is, and the broader the nonlinear segments become.

At the default value of 0, no smoothing is applied. The transitions to the maximally closed and fully open positions then introduce discontinuities (associated with zero-crossings), which tend to slow down the rate of simulation.

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