Experimental Validation of CFD–FEA Flow and Structural Performance Analysis in a Non-Return Multi-Door Reflux Valve

Department of Industrial Engineering, Operation Management, and Mechanical Engineering, Vaal University of Technology, Vanderbijlpark, 1911, South Africa

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Published online: 14 January 2026

Abstract

This study provides a validated numerical analysis of the hydraulic and structural performance of a non-return multi-door reflux valve, using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element analysis (FEA), and compares it with experimental tests. Under varying flow conditions, the numerical model predicts important performance parameters such as pressure drop, flow coefficient, velocity distribution, and stress concentration. The pressure difference, flow capacity, and response times of the valve were measured using a large-scale experimental setup; the results demonstrated a strong correlation with the simulation data. While the FEA method successfully captured the high-stress regions without exceeding the material yield limits, the CFD-predicted pressure drop values remained within ±5% of the experimental results. These results validate the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of numerical simulations as an alternative to extensive physical prototyping for valve design and performance evaluation. The study also highlights areas where future work, such as fluid-structure interaction modelling, is needed to more effectively capture transient dynamics.