Modeling and CFD analysis of piston compressor valve

The aim of this work is to create a model for automatic valves installed on piston compressors. Although their working principle is relatively simple, valves are the component within the compressor assembly with the highest risk of failure and/or maintenance. The aim of this thesis is to provide a comprehensive model of valve performance and how its characteristics influence compressor performance, since valves mark the various thermodynamic phases (suction, compression, discharge, expansion) of the piston compressor. The model was realised on the Simscape software, which is characterised by a graphic interface that can be quickly modified according to the type of valve being studied. In the second part of the thesis, a CFD analysis is presented in order to be able to carry out a more accurate analysis of the physical quantities by abandoning the 0D dimensional analysis and the classical radial diffuser model used in most scientific literature to model valve behaviour. A second purpose for which the CFD analysis was carried out is to be able to calculate certain parameters necessary for predicting the behaviour of the valve in an initial prototyping phase, the academic research for which is rather limited.