Dynamic model for a dome-loaded pressure regulator

A generalized physical model describing dynamic behavior of a fast-acting, dome-loaded, gas pressure regulator was developed. The regulator is designe d to respond quickly to command changes, and to operate over a wide range o f flow rates and pressures. The analytical lumped-parameter model developed consists of a set of nonlinear, first-order, ordinary differential equatio ns with respect to time, accounting for mass and energy conservation at reg ulator outlet, command dome and internal feedback compartments. It also acc ounts for the equation-of-motion for the poppet and the control piston-asse mbly. The numerical solution, based on a Runge-Kutta method, is amenable to an extensive parametric study of regulator performance, and served as a us eful analytical tool for designing new pressure regulators. Several tests w ere performed on a fast-acting regulator to verify the physical model. Good agreement between predictions and measurements was obtained. The effect of several parameters, geometrical and operational, on regulator performance was studied. [S0022-0434(00)00402-0].