Control Valves

Fundamentals

Absolute Zero
Pressure
A perfect vacuum which
would be obtained if all
molecules were removed from
an enclosed space. In reality,
this is impossible to achieve,
but it does serve as a
convenient reference for
pressure measurement

Atmospheric Pressure
The amount of pressure exerted by the
atmosphere above absolute zero
pressure. The "standard" atmospheric
pressure (at 0 feet altitude/sea level) is
14.696 psia or 760 millimeters of
mercury at 0C

It is important to realize that

atmospheric pressure at any one
location varies day to day with weather
conditions. More important, the
atmospheric pressure changes rapidly
with elevation above sea level

Gauge Pressure

Gauge pressure is always

measured above
atmospheric pressure. To
obtain absolute pressure,
the atmospheric pressure
must be added to the
gauge pressure

Vacuum Pressure

Usually expressed in
inches of mercury below
atmospheric pressure

Absolute Zero Pressure

A perfect vacuum which would be

obtained if all molecules were
removed from an enclosed space. In
reality, this is impossible to achieve,
but it does serve as a convenient
reference for pressure measurement

Delta P Shutoff

Maximum differential
pressure across the valve
when closed. Unless
otherwise specified by the
user, Delta P shutoff is
normally considered equal
to maximum inlet pressure

Differential Pressure

Also known as DP. For a

control valve, the difference
between inlet and outlet
pressure

Pressure

The force exerted by a fluid

per unit area.

Density
The mass of a substance
per unit volume. Usually
expressed in poundsmass per cubic foot
(lbm/ft3 or kgm/m3).

Specific Gravity
The ratio of the density of one substance to
the density of a second or reference
substance. The reference substance
depends on whether the flowing media is
liquid or gas.
For liquids, water at 60F is used as the
reference substance. The density of
distilled water at 60F is 62.3707 lb/ft 3.
For gases, air is used as the reference fluid.
However, instead of a ratio of densities, the
ideal specific gravity of a gas is defined as
the ratio of the molecular weight of the gas
to the molecular weight of air. The
molecular weight of air is 28.9644.

Specific Weight
The weight, due to the
gravitational pull of the earth, of
a substance per unit volume.
Usually expressed in poundsforce per cubic foot (lbf/ft3).
Only at locations where the local
acceleration of gravity is equal
to the standard acceleration of
gravity (gc = 32.1740 ft/sec2)
does the numerical value of the
specific weight equal that of the
numerical value of density

Weight Fraction

Portion by fluid
phase of the total
mass of a twophase flow.

Flow
Often used as a
substitute to flow rate.
Normally expressed as
volumetric or mass
flow

Flow Rate

The rate of flow of

process fluid
expressed in unit of
volume or weight
per unit of time

Cv
A capacity index known as the valve flow
coefficient. It is dependent on the
geometry of the valve and the position of
the closure member. It can be used to
calculate the flow rate through a valve for
specific system conditions at the valve.
It is a dimensionless figure defined as "the
number of U.S. gallons per minute of water
at 60F which will pass through a given
flow restriction with a pressure drop of 1
psi under stated conditions

Rated Cv

The flow Cv of the selected valve at full

travel

Temperature
A measure of the degree of hotness or
coldness (heat energy) of a substance,
most commonly expressed in degrees
Fahrenheit (F), Centigrade (C), Rankine
(R), or Kelvin (K).
F = (9/5) C + 32
C = 5/9 (F-32)
R = F + 460

K = C + 273

Viscosity
The internal resistance of a fluid to flow.
Water has low viscosity, while syrup has
high viscosity. Viscosity is highly
temperature dependent.
There are two ways to measure the
viscosity of a fluid. One is density
independent, known as the "absolute
viscosity" usually expressed in centipoise.
The second is density dependent, known
as the "kinematic viscosity" usually
expressed in centistokes.

Valve Sizing
Fluid flow rate can be expressed in units
of volume or weight per unit of time
A method of predicting the flow rate of a
compressible and/or incompressible fluid
through a control valve when all the
factors, including those related to the
fluid and its flowing condition, are known.
Sizing can be done using a computer
program or by hand calculation.
Masoneilan's sizing program is based on
Industry Standard ISA-S75.01 and
International Standard IEC 534-2
equations.

FL

The liquid pressure

recovery factor of a
valve.

Cavitation

A two-stage phenomenon of liquid flow.

The first stage is the formation of
cavities (vapor bubbles) within the liquid
stream; the second stage is the collapse
or implosion of those cavities (beyond
the vena contracta) back into an all
liquid state. The energy released by
cavitating liquids can, under certain
circumstances, cause physical damage of
valve or piping components

Sonic Diameter
The diameter at
which the process
fluid will reach sonic
velocity at flowing
conditions

Vena Contracta

The location where the

cross-sectional area of the
flow stream is at its
minimum. The vena
contracta normally occurs
just downstream of the
actual physical restriction in
a control valve

Flashing
The formation of voids or cavities
(vapor bubbles) in a liquid flow
stream during rapid acceleration of
the fluid within the valve orifice.
Downstream of the orifice, the
system pressure remains at or below
the vapor pressure of the liquid and
the vapor formed at the orifice will
remain in the flow stream. Under
some conditions, flashing can cause
damage to internal valve
components

Dead Band

The range through which

input can be varied without
initiating an observable
output response.

Rated Travel

The amount of
movement of the valve
closure member from
the closed position to
the rated full open
position

Travel

Also called stroke (linear) or

degrees of rotation (rotary),
the amount of movement of
the closure member from the
closed position to an
intermediate position or to
the rated full open position

Throttling
The act of regulating
fluid flow through a
valve by restricting its
orifice or opening

Ball Valve
A valve that modifies flow
rates through rotation of the
closure member, which is
either a sphere with an
internal passage or a
segment of a sphere,
notched or contoured to
obtain various flow
characteristics.

Butterfly Valve

A valve that controls fluid flow

through rotary motion of its
closure member, which is either
a disc or a vane pivotally
supported by a shaft

Globe Valve
A valve with a linear
motion closure member,
one or more ports, and a
body distinguished by a
globular shaped cavity
around the port region.

Body

The part of a valve that is the

main pressure boundary,
providing pipe connecting
ends, the fluid flow
passageway, and in some
cases, the part that supports
the seating surfaces and
closure member

Bonnet
The portion of the valve pressure-containing
boundary that provides guiding to the stem,
contains the packing box and stem seal, and
provides a means to attach the actuator. In
welded, threaded, or bolted bonnet valves,
the bonnet is the principal opening to the
body cavity for assembly and disassembly of
the internal parts of the valve.
A bonnet also may be integral to the body of
the valve. An extension bonnet may be
required to compensate for temperature
(either high or low) by allowing the packing
box to be located away from the fluid flow.

Accessory

An electronic, pneumatic, or
mechanical device connected
to and affecting the
operation of a control valve.

Valve

A valve is a device used for the

control of fluid flow. It consists of a
fluid containing assembly (body and
bonnet), one or more ports (seat(s))
between end openings (inlet and
outlet), and a moveable flowcontrolling element (closure member)
which opens, restricts, or closes the
port(s).

Control Valve
A power operated device that
modifies the fluid flow rate in a
process control system. It consists
of a valve connected to an actuator
mechanism that is capable of
changing the position of a flowcontrolling element within the
valve in response to a signal from
the controlling system.

Valve Sub-Assembly
The body, bonnet, and trim
parts assembled. One of
the two components of a
control valve.

Configuration

The specific information that

defines the valve, actuation,
and accessory package
specified as a result of control
valve sizing and selection

Dimensional Drawing

A representation of the
size, shape, and
orientation of the
valve, actuator, and
accessories specified

Schematic Drawing

A representation of the
pneumatic piping and/or
electrical wiring required to
operate the control valve
actuator and accessories as
specified

Actuator

A fluid-powered or electricallypowered device that supplies force

and motion to components of a
control valve.

Actuator Sub-Assembly

The actuator and yoke

assembled. One of the two
components of a control
valve.

Yoke

A structure by which the

actuator assembly is attached
rigidly on the bonnet

Hand wheel
A manual means of operating a
valve (opening or closing the
flow control orifice). May be the
sole means of operation or an
optional override to an actuator

Cage
A trim part in a valve sub-assembly
that surrounds the closure member,
provides alignment or guiding, and
facilitates assembly/disassembly of
the trim. The cage may provide flow
characterization through the
geometry of its flow passages. The
cage also may include the seating
surface or may retain a separate seat
ring within the valve body cavity

Plug

A moveable closure member

which provides a variable
restriction to the fluid flow

Seat Ring

A trim part assembled in the valve

body that may provide part or all
of the flow control orifice and the
contact surface for the closure
member

Closure Member

The flow-controlling element of a

valve. It is a moveable part
positioned in the flow path to
modify the rate of flow through the
valve. Closure members are
commonly known as plug, disc,
vane, or ball. It moves through the
flow path in either a linear or
rotary motion

Seat
The portion of a seat ring,
cage, or valve body that a
valve closure member (plug,
ball, disc, etc.) contacts for
closure

Port

A flow control orifice of a

control valve. A valve can
be single ported or multiported

Soft-Seated Trim

The use of an elastomeric, plastic,

or other readily deformable
material in the valve plug or seat
ring to provide tight shutoff with
reduced actuator forces

Reduced Area Trim

Based on port area, full area and
reduced area trims are available.
Reduced trim may be achieved with a
seat ring (35002 series rotary) or
cage (41000 series cage guided)
change alone. In other designs, it
may be necessary to change the plug
and seat ring.

Bushing
Also called guide bushing, a fixed
member which guides the closure
member, valve stem, and/or
actuator stem. The bushing
supports the non-axial loads and is
subject to relative motion of parts

Bottom Flange
A part that closes the valve body
opening opposite the bonnet
opening as in a double seated
globe valve. This flange may be
used to retain an additional
guide bushing

Lantern Ring

A rigid spacer assembled within

the packing box with the
packing normally above and
below the ring. It is designed to
allow lubrication of the packing
or to provide a leak-off
connection.

Stem
A rod, shaft, or spindle that
connects the valve actuator
with the closure member

Trim
The internal parts of a valve
sub-assembly, which are in
contact with the controlled
fluid, such as the plug, seat
ring, seat ring retainer, cage,
and stem.

Anti-Cavitation Trim
.

A combination of plug and seat ring or

plug and cage that by its geometry
provides non-cavitating operation or
reduces the tendency of the flowing liquid
to cavitate, thereby minimizing damage
to the valve parts and downstream piping

Balanced Trim

An arrangement of ports and plug or a

combination of plug, cage, seals, and
ports that tends to equalize the pressure
above and below the valve plug to
minimize the net static and dynamic fluid
flow forces acting along the axis of the
stem.

Lo-dB Trim

A combination of plug and seat ring or

plug and cage that by its geometry
reduces the noise generated by fluid
flowing through the valve

Bubble Tight

A non-standard term commonly used in

reference to seal leakage. Refer to
ANSI/FCI 70-2 for the specification of
leakage classifications. The use of an
elastomeric, plastic, or other readily
deformable material in the valve plug or
seat ring to provide tight shutoff with
minimal actuator forces

Leakage

The quantity of fluid passing through a

valve when the valve is in the fully closed
position under stated closure forces, with
the pressure differential and temperature
as specified in ANSI/FCI 70-2. Leakage is
usually expressed as a percentage of the
valve capacity at full rated travel. Refer to
ANSI/FCI 70-2 for the specification of
leakage quantity.

Clearance Flow

The flow volume below the minimum

controllable flow rate with the closure
member not seated

Capacity

The rate of flow through a valve under

stated test conditions

Quick Opening Characteristic

An inherent flow characteristic in which

the greatest rate of increase in flow
occurs at the lowest travel positions

Equal Percentage

The inherent flow characteristic, which,

for equal increments of rated travel, will
ideally give equal percentage changes of
the existing flow Cv at constant Delta P.

Modified Equal Percentage

An inherent flow characteristic that

provides fine throttling action at low
valve plug travel and is approximately
linear in characteristic for upper portions
of valve travel

Linear Characteristic

An inherent flow characteristic, which can

be represented by a straight line on a
rectangular plot of flow Cv versus percent
rated travel. Therefore, equal increments
of travel provide equal increments of flow
Cv at constant pressure drop

Cam Characterized

The use of a mechanical

or electronic adjustment
to modify the inherent
relationship of signal to
stem travel

Characteristic

The relationship between flow

coefficient (Cv) or valve flow
output and valve travel or
valve physical input. Linear,
equal percentage, modified
percentage, and quick opening
are the most common control
valve characteristics

Inherent Flow Characteristic

The relationship between the flow

rate through a valve and the travel
of the closure member as the
closure member is moved from the
closed position to the rated travel
with a constant pressure drop
across the valve

Inherent Rangeability

The ratio of the largest

controllable flow Cv to the
smallest controllable flow Cv
within which the deviation
from the specified inherent
flow characteristic does not
exceed the stated limits

Characteristic

The relationship between flow

coefficient (Cv) or valve flow
output and valve travel or valve
physical input. Linear, equal
percentage, modified
percentage, and quick opening
are the most common control
valve characteristics

Conventional Butterfly valves

The advantages of Butterfly

valves
Economy compactness
High capacity
Tight shutoff.
CBVs are available either
elastomeric lined or unlined
versions.

Brief Design details

The design is simplistic with a relatively
few number of parts.
The shaft is supported by three bushings
while the disc is rigidly affixed to the
shaft by use of precision taper pins. The
phenolic backed seat is held firmly
within the inner diameter of the body.

Conventional butterfly valve offers

an equal percentage characteristic
over a range approximating a Cv
ratio of 100:1. The lined versions
provide bubble-tight shutoff while
the unlined version, typically used
in damper service, yields seat
leakage of 1% of the rated
capacity

ContdBV
Conventional butterfly valve is available
in a variety of materials as shown in the
chart below. Ductile iron body
constructions provide economy while
stainless constructions are suitable for
corrosive service. A wide selection of
optional liner materials are available
including food grade Buna, Hypalon,
High-Temperature Viton and Black
Neoprene.

High Performance Butterfly valves

Sizes:2" through 36"End Conn:Wafer

or Single FlangeRating:ANSI Class
150, 300, 600Materials:Carbon Steel
316 Stainless SteelTrim Type:Metal
Seal
Soft SealLeakage:per ANSI B16.104
Class VI, PTFE, RTFE
Class IV metal sealsCat

Stem guided control valves

Top guided control valves

Top guided globe valve design featuring noise attenuation
and anti-cavitation trim options. It is the most versatile
single ported control valve on the market today, well
suited to handle a wide variety of process control
applications.
Most generally used and it is rugged post-guided stem
design and an unbalanced trim. It is very versatile and
can be used in many types of process applications.
The design uses a simple, open flow path with the guide
bushing located away from the flow stream. This is more
suitable than a cage-guided design for applications with
sticky or corrosive media or for process fluids containing
particulates. This valve generally equipped with either a
threaded or a quick Additionally, top guided valves are
available with angle bodies, high pressure construction,
low emissions LE packing, and bellows seal options.

Top Guided Control valves

Cage guided valves

Cage guided valves:Control valve is a cageguided control valve design that utilizes a
balanced plug construction. The standard valve
trim materials are hardened steel components
which give the valve longer life.

Double seated valve

Double seated valves are generally used in refinery applications
such as crude or bottom service. The double ported valve has
two seating surfaces and utilizes the process pressure to assist
in the opening and closing of the valve. The valve plug is post
guided at both the top and the bottom of the throttling section.
This results in a very rugged and stable design that performs
well in high pressure applications.
The double ported design has full area and reduced capacity
trims using both V-ported and contoured trim configurations.
The valve has low pressure recovery and provides high
capacities.

Double seated valve

3 WAY valve

I/P converter

What is an I/P transducer?

A device that receives an electrical input signal and
outputs a pressure proportional to the input signal
The electrical input signal is usually a 4-20mA current
signal (10-50mA is also available upon request)
Outputs are 3-15 psi or 6-30 psi, however:
Output scan be calibrated to 1-17psi, 0-20 psi, 3-27psi,
or 0-35 psi
Normally these devices are used with a pneumatic valve
positioner; however, in rare cases the I/P pressure
output is used directly in a pneumatic actuator

What is valve Positioner

A device that compares the valve travel to a

control input signal and then outputs a
pneumatic signals to accurately adjust the
valves position

Why

valve positioner is

needed?

A valve positioner will:

Decrease the valves hysteresis and
deadband (i.e., friction)
Increase repeatability of valve
movement
Increase sensitivity to the control
signal
Improve process loop performance