Transient analysis of lubrication with a squeeze film effect due to the loading rate at the interface of a motor operated valve assembly in nuclear power plants

Abstract

The valve assembly used in nuclear power plants is important safety-related equipment. In the new standard, the physical attributes are measured using a valve diagnosis test, which is used in the expansion to other non-tested valves using a quantitative test-basis methodology. With a motor-operated actuator, the state of stem's lubrication is related to physical attributes such as the stem factor and the friction coefficient. This study analyzed the numerical transient of fluid and solid lubrication with a squeeze film effect due to the loading rate on the stem and the stem nut using the experimental data. The differential equation that governs the motion mechanism of the stem and stem nut is established and analyzed. The flow rate, the fluid and the solid contact forces are calculated with the friction coefficient. Finally, we found that a change in the friction coefficient results from a change of the shear force in the solid contact mode during the interchange process between the solid contact mode and the fluid contact mode. The qualitative understanding of the squeeze film effect is expanded quantitatively for forces, thread surface distance, velocity, and acceleration, with consideration of the metal solid contact and fluid contact.

Keywords

• Valve
• Actuator
• Qualification
• Valve diagnosis test
• Motor operated valve
• Stem