Valve Air Flow Test

[maltore]

I’m working on a concept for a development test to measure flow characteristics of a valve (delta-P vs. flow rate, discharge coefficient). I wanted to ask for some advice on test concept approach. This is just a proof-of-concept type test to help us determine if we're on the right path for the conceptual design.

The valve is a spring loaded dual-disc check valve that acts as a vent valve allowing air to vent to outside standard conditions from a compartment while preventing air flow from outside into the compartment. The expected max flow rate is about 2000 CFM and an estimated pressure drop of about 1 psi.

The test concept right now is to use a blower fan to push air into an enclosure where the valve is mounted and air escapes through the valve to ambient. This seems like it would work just fine, but I’m having trouble finding a blower that can provide the flow rate at these pressures. It seems that most are either not high enough pressure (inches of H2O levels), or are large scale industrial size blowers that are overkill and too expensive for what we're after right now.

Any advice on test concept for something like this, or lessons learned from anyone who has done this sort of testing before would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[3DDave]

1 psi * 2000 cfm => 144 lbf/sq-ft * 2000 cu-ft/min*(1min/60sec) => 4800 ft-lbf/sec or just under 9 Hp or 6.5 kWatts.

No doubts as to why there are industrial sized equipment involved.

That's just the work that goes into the air. Add in inefficiency and it's probably closer to 15 hp or 12 kW for the drive motor.