Stability study of a pressure regulator by modelling and experimental design Etude de stabilité d'un détenteur régulateur modélisation et plan d'expériences

Abstract : One major concern for operators on the gas network of Gaz de France is to ensure a satisfying pressure regulation. The pressure level is controlled by pressure regulating stations. In some specific configurations, the downstream pressure is not properly controlled by the pressure regulator and oscillates around the set point. The working conditions that lead to instabilities were studied. For that purpose, some experiments and numerical simulations were performed to identify the relative effect of several parameters on emergence and amplitude of oscillations. Amplitudes and frequencies of the outlet pressure were especially sensitive to inlet pressure and to the size of the downstream volume. Amplitudes and frequencies of oscillations were reduced for highest downstream volume, the frequency simulated was generally higher than the frequency measured on test bench. For large amplitudes, calculations and measurements were in good agreement, the discrepancies could be more important for configurations with small amplitudes.