Analysis of the flow characteristics through a water pressure regulator

This thesis presents an analysis of the flow characteristics through a water pressure regulator. Characteristic curves of the relationship between pressure drop through the regulator and flow through the regulator are developed. To further analyze these relationships, a least squares computer analysis was used to develop equations to fit these curves. An investigation into the modes of dissipating pressure energy in this type of regulator tends to indicate that a significant portion of the energy is lost through viscous shearing action in the area of high turbulence. The aforementioned characteristic curves also showed definite critical pressure points in the form of a leveling off portion of the higher end of each curve. A limiting pressure drop was reached for each setting of the seat opening. An equation which can be used to predict this critical pressure point for any seat opening is developed in this thesis --Abstract, page ii