Simulation of Flow Local Pressure loss in Quick Valves for Sprinkler Irrigation Systems

The improper estimation of the pressure loss inside the quick valve is one of the reasons for low pressure in the sprinklers, which can lead to improper operation of the sprinklers. By studying the pressure loss and flow pattern, it will be possible to modify and reduce the amount of flow pressure loss in quick valve. In this study, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), flow behavior in the quick valve has been investigated to obtain the speed and pressure distribution and relation between pressure loss and flow rate in 1.35, 2, 2.5, 3, 3.8 liters per second discharges. For this purpose, the dimensions of different sections of a quick valve are determined using a digitally caliper, then the flow inside the valve has been simulated by various turbulent models. The results of the numerical solution showed that simulation results in the K-ε Standard turbulence model are more in line with the experimental results and the average of prediction error rate in five flow rates is 2.5 percent and the average amount of local pressure loss coefficient is 8.86 based on this model.