Mass conductance of a low pressure LPG injector as a function of valve lift and nozzle diameter

Abstract

This study presents a steady-state CFD analysis of gas flow through a low-pressure injector at different valve displacement positions. The simulations were performed using SolidWorks Flow Simulation with the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations and a modified k-ε turbulence model. Under fixed inlet and outlet conditions and four nozzle diameters, the relationship between valve displacement and mass conductance was evaluated. The results reveal two distinct flow regimes: a valve-dominated regime at small displacements and a nozzle-dominated regime at larger openings. Spatial distributions of velocity, pressure, temperature, and turbulence further characterize these transitions and identify the regions responsible for acceleration and pressure loss. The findings demonstrate that valve displacement is a key parameter governing the injector’s flow capacity and must be considered when developing accurate fuel-metering and control strategies for gaseous injection systems.