Project Abstract

The bi-directional flow control valve was sponsored by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Tyndall Air Force Base (AFB).  The task was to design and prototype a bi-directional flow control valve.  Currently in the fire community, a one way flow control valve is available but there is nothing on the market to allow a fire sprinkler system to operate in the event of piping failure.  The bi-directional flow control valve will allow a fire sprinkler system to continue to protect a building’s contents and people in the event of damage to the sprinkler system piping during a fire emergency.

The sponsor set specific requirements for the bi-directional flow control valve which included the valve housing to mate with 1 ½ inch National Pipe Thread (NPT) standards.  In addition, the housing must be fabricated to accept different internal components to allow for the set up of five different flow rates (60, 70, 80, 90, & 100 gallons per minute (gpm)).  A testing apparatus was also designed to test the prototype to ensure completeness and accuracy.  By modeling the valve and verifying the necessary calculations up front, both time and money were saved producing a workable paper solution ready for fabrication.

After fabrication of the bi-directional flow control valve parts and the testing apparatus, testing began at the midpoint of the project.  Testing revealed higher pressure drops across the valve than calculated for and additional dynamic pressures that needed to be taken into account.  Further testing determined the pressure drop across the valve and a need to fabricate stronger shaft holders.

Several tests were performed which resulted in successful operation of the bi-directional flow control valve, however, not at the requested flow rates. The bi-directional flow control valve does activate and stop the flow of water in both directions.  The valve also re-opens once the pressure has been stabilized on either side of the valve. Additional testing is still required to be continually performed past the end of the project.