The effect of seat geometry on gate valve noise

Gate values often act as a source of tonal noise in piping systems. Occasio nally, this can lead to excessive environmental noise levels. this paper pr esents the results of a model testing program that was conducted to determi ne the most cost-effective way to eliminate the noise source in one such va lve. Over 300 tests were conducted on 25 different valve configurations. te sting of the original valve configuration indicated that the noise was caus ed by vortex shedding over the valve seat cavity coupled with an acoustic r esonance across the throat of the valve. Numerous modifications to the valv e seats, seat cavity, and disk were tested to determine how the vortex shed ding could best be controlled. the effect of these modifications on the uns teady pressures in the valve and adjacent piping are presented and discusse d. For the valve under consideration, it was concluded that the noise could best be eliminated by chamfering the upstream and downstream valve seats. Recommendations for avoiding noise problems in other valve installations ar e presented [S0094-9930(00)00503-5].