Numerical investigation of conjugate heat transfer of an underwater gate valve assembly

The conjugate heat transfer of an underwater gate valve assembly is numerically investigated by 3D steady RANS CFD approach. Different schemes of turbulence models in combination with near-wall treatments including low Reynolds number modeling (LRNM) and wall functions (WF) are adopted in simulations. An underwater gate valve heat transfer experiment with the same scale of the computational model is conducted for validation. It is found that the realizable k-ɛ turbulence model in combination with LRNM is the most appropriate numerical scheme to solve the underwater conjugate heat transfer problem. Based on the simulation results, the flow and heat transfer characteristics of the underwater gate valve assembly are discussed. The temperature and convection heat transfer coefficient (CHTC) distribution are distinct on both windward and leeward surfaces affected by the flow field. The numerical approach is also promising for conjugate heat transfer calculation of similar subsea thermal-fluid system.