The Effect of Cylindrical Valve Structure on the Performance of Turbine-Driven Mud Pulse Generators

Because of problems in the power system and also the pulse generating system of the pulse oscillator,mud pulse generators based on the cylinder valve have been developed.This paper reviews the effects of structural parameters of cylindrical valves on waveforms and amplitudes of the pressure.Taking the axial length of the valve seat circumferential opening,and the number of fixed orifices and the diameter of the fixed throttle as variables,the impact of different structural parameters on the pressure waveform are investigated by using CFD and FLUENT.Research results indicate that the structural parameters of the valve have significant influence on the performance of the generator.Under constant flow rate of drilling fluids,the sectional area in the fixed throttle may affect the maximum pulse pressurebut not the high-pressure range.On the other hand,the variable channel of the circumferential flows mainly affects the range of the pulse pressure but not the amplitude.Conclusions of the study may provide necessary reference for the design of the waveforms and amplitudes of pressure under the different working conditions,and thus optimize the design of pulse oscillation tools.