Oxford Flow Regulator enables the latest jet engine innovation

Oxford Flow, an innovative pressure and flow control equipment manufacturer, has enabled universities in the US and Korea to develop cutting edge jet-engine technology.

Pusan National University (Korea) and Virginia Tech (US), two of the largest gas turbine research laboratories in the world, invited Oxford Flow to offer a solution for controlling pressures in their latest jet engine research facilities.

Professor Changmin Son, Rolls- Royce Commonwealth Professor in Energy Engineering and Science at Virginia Tech, and formally of Pusan National University (PNU), explains the unique demands: “We were looking for a faster acting pressure regulator for our new transonic annular sector cascade. Conventional pressure regulators are not fast enough.”

The PNU blow-down facility is fed by a 10 bara air tank, which is discharged through the facility at 7 kg/s. The pressure at the test section must be maintained at 5 bara to within +/- 0.1%. The useful part of the test lasts no longer than 3 seconds, an incredibly short time to achieve stable and accurate pressure regulation.

This application was deemed too challenging for competitor pressure reducing valves (PRVs). The lack of any product on the market has resulted in reduced operational and cost effectiveness of the test facilities.

However, after seeing the success of Oxford Flow technology to control multimillion dollar jet-engine research facilities at the University of Oxford, a 6-month trial of the IHF Series PRV was approved.

The Oxford Flow team modelled the PNU research facility, devising a combination of 6” Oxford Flow IHF Series PRV and bypass nozzle in order to achieve the desired accuracy, stability and speed requirements. From day one, the performance was exceptional with the PRV able to achieve the required ultrahigh accuracy of +/- 0.1%, with inlet pressure decaying at a phenomenal 0.5 bar/s.

As a result, Oxford Flow’s technology was purchased after only 2 months of the trial. Following successful campaigns at PNU, the unit was transferred to a similar test facility at Virginia Tech.

Tel No: 01865 595248
Email: info@oxford-flow.com
Website: www.oxford-flow.com


Published: 27th May 2021

BVAA Strengthens Board with New Members

Rachel Wormald, Managing Director at YPS Valves Ltd and Elizabeth Waterman, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

BVAA Valve & Actuator Training News

Are you looking for industry-leading, brand independent valve and actuator ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Comment by BVAA CEO Rob Bartlett

As can be seen from the photograph, clearly the resident birds at Bartlett ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Howco Group Invests £1 Million in Vertical CNC Turning Centres

Howco Group has unveiled its latest £1million investment, with the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Allvalves: Fuelling Growth Through Customer Connectivity

In 2024, Allvalves is poised for an exciting year of growth and expansion, ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

GMM Pfaudler - Introducing the Normag Brand to the BVAA Community

GMM Pfaudler Engineered Plastics & Gaskets are delighted to bring the ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

Building Industry Connections: A GMM Pfaudler Success Story

In the ever-evolving valve industry, GMM Pfaudler stands out for its ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article

SAMSON Controls Participates in the UK CCUS and Hydrogen Decarbonisation Summit

SAMSON Controls Ltd – part of the SAMSON group - a renowned leader in ...

Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Read full article