Quieting the Flows in Valves Using Kinetic Energy Degraders

Abstract

It’s common knowledge that nature is a subtle mixture of order and disorder. On a windless day, everything seems calm, and yet billions and billions of molecules are constantly moving and colliding in the microscopic world. We are oblivious to all this activity and believe we are safe. Then the wind picks up. It possesses kinetic energy that we can partially capture in wind turbines. Sometimes, violent gusts and gale force winds begin to blow, destroying houses and damaging nature in their path. In these extreme situations, what do we do? Nothing! We take shelter and wait until these tornadoes and strong winds have died down. Similar phenomena occur in industrial installations that transport fluids. In certain cases, flows with a strong motive power excite the sidewalls containing them, weakening and sometimes destroying the structure.

Keywords

• Thermodynamics; Entropy; 2nd Law

References

1. Baker, G., McRobie, F. A., Thompson, J. M. T. (1997). Implications of Chaos Theory for Engineering Science. Proc. Instn. Mech. Engrs. , 211, 349-363.
2. Bejan, A. (1982). Entropy Generation through Heat and Fluid Flow . New York, NY: Wiley-Interscience
3. Blake, W. K. (1986). Mechanics of Flow-Induced Sound and Vibration . New York, NY: Academic Press Inc
4. Chabane, S., Plumejault, S., Pierrat, D., Couzinet, A., Bayart, M. (2009). Vibration and chattering of conventional safety relief valve under built up back pressure. IAHR Czech., 3, 281-294.
5. De Groot, S.R. (1951). Thermodynamics of Irreversible Processes . Amsterdam, The Netherlands: North-Hollan Publishing Company.
6. Fabri, J., Siestrunck, R. (1955). Divers régimes d’écoulement dans l’élargissement brusque d’une veine supersonique. Rev. Gén. Sci. Appl., 2, 229-237.
7. Gilmore, R. (1993). Catastrophe Theory for Scientists and Engineers . New York, NY: Dover Publications Inc
8. Gleick, J. (1987). Chaos. New York, NY: The Viking Press. Lebon, G., Jou, D., Casas-Vasquez, J. (2008). Understanding Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.

9. Mandelbrot, B. (1995). Les Objets Fractals, (4th ed.). Paris, France: Flammarion.
10. Manneville, P. (1990). Dissipatives Structures and Weak Turbulence . London, England: Academic Press
11. Planck, M. (1915). The Principle of Least Action Retrieved from www.ias.ac.in / resonance / February 2008 / p198-207.pdf.
12. Pluviose, M. (1989). Stabilization of Flow through SteamTurbine Control Valve. ASME Journal of engineering for Gas Turbines and Power , 111, 642-646.
13. Pluviose, M. (1991). Instabilities of Flow in Sudden Enlargements. Winter ASME, 128, 291-300.
14. Pluviose, M. (2012). Rescuing Valves in Distress Self-published at www.lulu.com.
15. Prigogine, I., Stengers, I. (1986). La Nouvelle Alliance Paris, France: Gallimard.
16. Prigogine, I., Kondepudi, D. (1999). Thermodynamique. Paris, France: Odile Jacob.
17. Richard, J.-M., Pluviose, M. (1991). Aerodynamic Instabilities in Governing Valves of Steam Turbines. iMechE London. 3 , 93-102.
18. Thom, R. (1983). Paraboles et Catastrophes. Paris, France: Flammarion.
19. Watremetz, M., Pluviose, M. (1998). Des soupapes plus tranquilles. Cetim-Informations, 160, 47-48.