
CLC number:
On-line Access: 2026-03-25
Received: 2025-06-04
Revision Accepted: 2025-08-19
Crosschecked: 2026-03-25
Cited: 0
Clicked: 2417
Citations: Bibtex RefMan EndNote GB/T7714
Jin-yuan QIAN, Zhe-hui MA, Shi-jie LIN, Chuang LIU, Yu-wei WANG, Fei LING, Liang ZHANG, Man-man CUI, Tian-zuo QU, Zhi-jiang JIN. Optimization of throttling windows to improve flow control of three-way control combiner valves[J]. Journal of Zhejiang University Science A, 2026, 27(3): 275-287.
@article{title="Optimization of throttling windows to improve flow control of three-way control combiner valves",
author="Jin-yuan QIAN, Zhe-hui MA, Shi-jie LIN, Chuang LIU, Yu-wei WANG, Fei LING, Liang ZHANG, Man-man CUI, Tian-zuo QU, Zhi-jiang JIN",
journal="Journal of Zhejiang University Science A",
volume="27",
number="3",
pages="275-287",
year="2026",
publisher="Zhejiang University Press & Springer",
doi="10.1631/jzus.A2500231"
}
%0 Journal Article
%T Optimization of throttling windows to improve flow control of three-way control combiner valves
%A Jin-yuan QIAN
%A Zhe-hui MA
%A Shi-jie LIN
%A Chuang LIU
%A Yu-wei WANG
%A Fei LING
%A Liang ZHANG
%A Man-man CUI
%A Tian-zuo QU
%A Zhi-jiang JIN
%J Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE A
%V 27
%N 3
%P 275-287
%@ 1673-565X
%D 2026
%I Zhejiang University Press & Springer
%DOI 10.1631/jzus.A2500231
TY - JOUR
T1 - Optimization of throttling windows to improve flow control of three-way control combiner valves
A1 - Jin-yuan QIAN
A1 - Zhe-hui MA
A1 - Shi-jie LIN
A1 - Chuang LIU
A1 - Yu-wei WANG
A1 - Fei LING
A1 - Liang ZHANG
A1 - Man-man CUI
A1 - Tian-zuo QU
A1 - Zhi-jiang JIN
J0 - Journal of Zhejiang University Science A
VL - 27
IS - 3
SP - 275
EP - 287
%@ 1673-565X
Y1 - 2026
PB - Zhejiang University Press & Springer
ER -
DOI - 10.1631/jzus.A2500231
Abstract: Three-way control combiner valves (TCCVs) are critical components used in nuclear power plants to regulate the concentration of boron acid for neutron absorption and reactor safety. However, current TCCV designs often suffer from suboptimal control performance and high flow resistance, leading to control deviations and reduced operational efficiency. In this paper, a numerical model based on the standard K–ω turbulence model is established and validated against experimental data to analyze the flow characteristics and local flow resistance of a TCCV. A parametric design method for the throttling windows is proposed, establishing relationships between shape parameters and performance indexes, including control performance and flow resistance. The adaptive non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (ANSGA-II) is used to optimize the shape parameters of the throttling windows. The optimization results show an improvement in the performance indexes of the TCCV, with the adjustable operating range increasing by 31.0% and the maximum local resistance decreasing by 18.3%. We also introduce the concepts of effective and controllable domains to characterize the inlet backflow phenomena and regulation dead zones, which are crucial for ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of control valves. These findings provide insights for enhancing the design and performance of TCCVs in nuclear power plants.
[1]AndoM, OkamotoA, NagaiH, 2023. Effect of flow resistance of floating-type check valves on heat transfer characteristics of an oscillating heat pipe. ASME Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 145(10):101004.
[2]Arbabi YazdiY, Toossian ShandizH, Gholizadeh NarmH, 2022. Stiction detection in control valves using a support vector machine with a generalized statistical variable. ISA Transactions, 126:407-414.
[3]BaoYH, WangHG, 2022. Numerical study on flow and heat transfer characteristics of a novel Tesla valve with improved evaluation method. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 187:122540.
[4]BlasiakS, LaskiPA, TakosogluJE, 2021. Rapid prototyping of pneumatic directional control valves. Polymers, 13(9):1458.
[5]BriliantoRM, SeongH, KwakH, et al., 2020. Improvement of 3-way valve for temperature control of gas turbine lube oil in CCPP. International Journal of Precision Engineering and Manufacturing, 21(7):1321-1332.
[6]ChenFQ, JinZJ, 2023. Effects of perforated plate on hydrogen flow in L-shaped high pressure reducing valve. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(5):1956-1967.
[7]CuiWL, WangDX, HongX, et al., 2024. Research and development of innovative bidirectional control plate valve for reciprocating compressor. Applied Energy, 365:123279.
[8]FilhoLSC, FilhoJGD, VatavukP, et al., 2023. A new model of hydraulic valve for building installations which has a sliding command and which works completely embedded in the masonry. Water, 15(8):1441.
[9]FiloG, LisowskiE, RajdaJ, 2021. Design and flow analysis of an adjustable check valve by means of CFD method. Energies, 14(8):2237.
[10]GuanAQ, XuJX, JinZJ, et al., 2023. Damping effect and fluid dynamic analysis on closing process of axial flow check valve. Journal of Fluids Engineering, 145(10):101204.
[11]GuanAQ, XiangFN, LinZH, et al., 2024. Experimental and modeling investigation on dynamic response of sticky control valves. Control Engineering Practice, 148:105953.
[12]GuiSY, ZhangSS, FuB, et al., 2022. Fluid-dynamic analysis and multi-objective design optimization of piezoelectric servo valves. Flow Measurement and Instrumentation, 85:102157.
[13]GuoQS, WuX, CaiH, et al., 2024. Multi-power sources joint optimal scheduling model considering nuclear power peak regulation. Energy, 293:130678.
[14]HadebeXP, Tchomeni KouejouBX, AlugongoAA, et al., 2024. Finite element analysis and computational fluid dynamics for the flow control of a non-return multi-door reflux valve. Fluids, 9(10):238.
[15]HaneklausN, QvistS, GładyszP, et al., 2023. Why coal-fired power plants should get nuclear-ready. Energy, 280:128169.
[16]HopfgartnerJ, AlmbauerR, EggerA, et al., 2022. Investigation of force-assisted suction reed valves in hermetic reciprocating compressors. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 236(1):26-35.
[17]HuH, SonI, KikumotoH, et al., 2024. Improving Tesla valve shape within fluid diode plates for building ventilation. Building and Environment, 252:111259.
[18]KangHL, ParkHJ, HanSH, 2024. Evaluation of cavitation phenomena in three-way globe valve through computational analysis and visualization test. Scientific Reports, 14(1):21919.
[19]LinZH, LiJY, JinZJ, et al., 2021. Fluid dynamic analysis of liquefied natural gas flow through a cryogenic ball valve in liquefied natural gas receiving stations. Energy, 226:120376.
[20]LisowskiE, FiloG, PluskowskiP, et al., 2023. Flow analysis of a novel, three-way cartridge flow control valve. Applied Sciences, 13(6):3719.
[21]LisowskiE, FiloG, RajdaJ, 2024. Adjustment of proportional control valve characteristics via pressure compensation using flow forces. Energies, 17(7):1546.
[22]MallapatyS, 2020. How China could be carbon neutral by mid-century. Nature, 586(7830):482-483.
[23]QianJY, HouCW, MuJ, et al., 2020. Valve core shapes analysis on flux through control valves in nuclear power plants. Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 52(10):2173-2182.
[24]QianJY, WuW, ChengM, et al., 2022. Practice of flow control and smart valves. Journal of Zhejiang University-SCIENCE A, 23(4):243-246.
[25]RajeshP, ToleyM, MalD, et al., 2024. Impact of adding high-concentration neutron poisons to reactor moderator system for guaranteed shutdown. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 176:105397.
[26]SinghD, AliyuAM, CharltonM, et al., 2020. Local multiphase flow characteristics of a severe-service control valve. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 195:107557.
[27]VašinaM, HružíkL, BurečekA, et al., 2015. Dynamical behaviour of three-way throttle valve with pressure gradient stabilization. EPJ Web of Conferences, 92:02104.
[28]WangHW, NanLJ, ZhouX, et al., 2024. Research on noise reduction of water hydraulic throttle valve based on RBF neural network and multi-island genetic algorithm. Machines, 12(5):333.
[29]WitrantE, LandauID, VaillantMP, 2023. A data-driven control methodology applied to throttle valves. Control Engineering Practice, 139:105634.
[30]YangMK, ZhangYH, AiC, et al., 2023. Multi-objective optimisation of K-shape notch multi-way spool valve using CFD analysis, discharge area parameter model, and NSGA-II algorithm. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 17(1):2242721.
[31]ZhaoGC, ZhouGQ, WangH, et al., 2023. Groove parameters optimization of rotary excitation control valve using computational fluid dynamics coupled with response surface method. Ain Shams Engineering Journal, 14(12):102575.
[32]ZongCY, LiQY, LiKP, et al., 2022a. Computational fluid dynamics analysis and extended adaptive hybrid functions model-based design optimization of an explosion-proof safety valve. Engineering Applications of Computational Fluid Mechanics, 16(1):296-315.
[33]ZongCY, ShiML, LiQY, et al., 2022b. Design optimization of a nuclear main steam safety valve based on an E-AHF ensemble surrogate model. Nuclear Engineering and Technology, 54(11):4181-4194.
Open peer comments: Debate/Discuss/Question/Opinion
<1>