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 designed to respond quickly to command changes, and to operate over a wide range of flow rates and pressures. The analytical lumped-parameter model developed consists of a set of nonlinear, first-order, ordinary differential equations with respect to time, accounting for mass and energy conservation at regulator outlet, command dome and internal feedback compartments. It also accounts for the equation-of-motion for the poppet and the control piston-assembly. The numerical solution, based on a Runge–Kutta method, is amenable to an extensive parametric study of regulator performance, and serves as a useful analytical tool for designing new pressure regulators. Several tests were 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]