Basic Control Valve

Sizing and Selection

 DeZurik Operation

Valve Sizing
What is Valve Sizing?

It is a procedure by which the dynamics of a process system

are matched to the performance characteristics of a valve.

This is to provide a control valve that will best meet the needs
of managing flow within that process system.

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Flow Coefficient (CV)
The valve flow coefficient, CV is the number of U.S.
gallons per minute of water at 60 degrees F which will
pass through a given flow restriction with a pressure
drop of 1 psi.
For example, a control valve which has a flow
coefficient, or CV, of 12 has an effective port area that it
passes 12 gallons per minute of water with 1 psi
pressure drop.
 DeZurik Operation

Valve
Sizing
Basic information requirements for effective valve sizing

For the system:

Pressure before and after the control valve, P
Flow rate, quantity and units, Q
Process temperature with units, T
Properties of the media, (viscous, fiber suspension, gaseous
its vapor pressure, sometimes molecular weight)
For the control valve:
Flow capacity (Cv), inherent throttling curve,
Kc (Cavitation Index), FL (Critical Flow factor)

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Delta P (P)
P Sizing is the pressure drop across the valve used
for control valve sizing at a specific flow rate.
Most applications have multiple flows for sizing
with different P for each
In a given system, higher flow rates generally result
in lower pressure drop across the valve.
 Flow Characteristics
Control valve flow characteristics are determined principally by the
design of the valve trim.
The three basic flow characteristics available are:
Quick Opening
Linear
Equal Percentage (=%)
A modified characteristic (sometimes called modified percentage)
generally falling between the linear and equal percentage
characteristics may also be available.
Why Use Equal Percentage
Provides equal percentage
increases in rate of flow for
equal increments of plug
movement.

Provides the best choice of

flow characteristic for most
systems.
 DeZurik Operation

Valve Sizing -
Cavitation
What is cavitation and what does it do to valves?

Cavitation is a 2-stage activity where a portion of the liquid

media drops below vapor pressure. This part will boil (vaporize).
In stage two, slightly downstream, pressure recovery takes place
and the vapor bubbles collapse.

The condition known as critical flow is an extension of cavitation

in that it simply gets worse as the pressure drop increases. This is
to the point that changes (reductions) in downstream pressure
no longer influence flow rate.

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Fluid Recovery Factor (FL)
When a fluid passes through the valve
orifice, the velocity increases. This velocity
increase is accompanied by a proportional
decrease in pressure. Velocity reaches a
maximum and pressure a minimum at the
smallest cross sectional flow area
downstream of the orifice (the vena
contracta).

Downstream of the vena contracta the fluid decelerates and

consequently the pressure increases or recovers (giving us the term
pressure recovery). Different valve types exhibit different recovery
factors which becomes an important consideration in valve selection.
Fluid Recovery Factor (FL)
The fluid recovery factor (FL) FL~(P1-P2)/(P1- PVC)
is effectively an index of
pressure recovery in a control
valve. High FL values indicate
low pressure recovery where
a low FL value is an
indication of high pressure
recovery. Higher FL values
result in better resistance to
cavitation.
 Valve sizing - Cavitation
Collapse of the bubbles created by cavitation produce noise, like gravel in
the line.
Bubbles that collapse in contact with the valve or pipe create damage.

Cavitation can be controlled with special valve trims in some types of

valves.

Cavitation should be avoided in all circumstances.

 DeZurik Operation

Valve
Sizing
What is Flashing?

It is a condition where the downstream pressure is below the

vapor pressure of the incoming fluid and allows some of the
liquid to become vapor.

Flashing does not create noise or damage in the valve as with

cavitation. It can, however, create damage to the downstream
piping due to high velocity.

A control valve will function quit well under these circumstances. Yes!

October 2005
 DeZurik Operation

Valve
Sizing
Characteristics

Systems driven by centrifugal pumps lose pressure two ways

As the flow increases the pump pressure declines
As the flow increases pipeline friction losses increase
Using a valve with equal percentage or parabolic characteristics
will produce an installed characteristic that is more linear.

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Inherent vs. Installed Characteristics
Inherent flow characteristic is defined as the relationship
between flow and valve stroke at constant pressure drop. It is
unique to valve construction and depends primarily on geometry
of the throttling trim and body flow passages and is determined
by flow testing.
The inherent flow characteristic changes when installed in a
piping system. The result is the installed flow characteristic.
As system pressure drop absorbed by the control valve is
reduced, the greater the deviation from the inherent state.
Ideally a control valve should be sized to absorb 15%-25% of
system pressure.
 DeZurik Operation

Valve Sizing
What is desired ?
100
- After installation, Equal Percent
80
generally it should
Modified Parabolic
be near linear. 60

% Cv
40 Linear
Why?
20 Quick Opening
- To provide a more
0
predictable flow
0 20 40 60 80 100
change in response % Open
to each incremental valve
position change

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Other considerations
Control Valve Seat Leakage
It is becoming more common to expect a control valve to provide
isolation duty, thus allowable leakage becomes more important.
Control valve seat leakage is designated by the classification of
ISA/ANSI-70-2
Leakage classes are class I-VI.
Classes I-V are measured using water, class VI is measured using air.
The most common class for metal seated control valves is class IV.
(0.01% of rated Cv)
Class VI generally applies to resilient seated valves only.
 Fluid Velocity
Excessive fluid velocity can create erosion, and accelerate
corrosion damage. It also contributes to noise level and
vibration.
Valve users will generally define acceptable velocity in
valves and pipes for the above reasons. Liquid velocity of up
to 15 ft/sec. is common; for gas or steam 400 ft/sec. or
higher, depending upon size, is perfectly acceptable.
Noise and Vibration
Noise results from the conversion of the mechanical energy of the flow
into acoustic energy as the fluid passes through the valve restriction.
Vibration is a direct result of noise and can create issues with valve life.
OSHA has designated 85-90 Dba as the generally acceptable limit for
valves installed in most areas.
Noise can be reduced through two means, internal at the valve trim,
and external such as pipe insulation or downstream silencers.
Cage guided globe valves offer the widest range of noise and vibration
attenuation solutions.
Rangability
Rangability is defined as the ratio of minimum to
maximum controllable flow rates.
Equal percent characteristic offers the best rangability
of common types.
100
Equal Percent
80

60 Modified Parabolic
% Cv

40 Linear

20 Quick Opening
0
0 20 40 60 80 100
% Open
Flow Direction

Many valve types have a preferred flow direction to

minimize the effects of velocity, to create the tightest shut-
off, and to optimize the response to input signal.
 DeZurik Operation

Globe Valves

October 2005
 DeZurik Operation

Globe
Valves
How do they work?

- By linear (stroke) action

- A contoured plug is lifted
out of a seat ring to allow
flow to pass
- In most (not all) cases
flow comes in
under the seat
- Conversely, pushing the
plug down into the seat causes closure

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 DeZurik Operation

Globe
Valves
Unbalanced
Trim
/ Balanced

- Unbalanced has system

pressure acting against
the full area of the seat
Single seated plug styles
are unbalanced
- Balanced has provisions
for offsetting system
pressure
Available in double seated
plug or balanced cage styles

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 DeZurik Operation

Globe
Valves
Bodies & Bonnets

- Configured as required
to meet valve style and
ANSI Class considerations
- Removable bolted bonnets
retain and/or support the
trim components

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 DeZurik Operation

Globe Valves
3 Way configurations for
Mixing and diverting.

-Temperature control
- Blending

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 DeZurik Operation

Globe
Valves
Top guided style
Trim Components

- Stem, plug, seat,

cage (if that style) & Cage guided style
guiding components
- Made of alloy materials
- Optional hardened seating
surfaces when required

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Noise and cavitation control trims

By directing flow through a series

of staged drops, these trims
eliminate cavitation in liquid flow
and provides multiple pressure
breakdown for noise attenuation
Specifically designed
 DeZurik Operation

Rotary Control Valves

October 2005
 DeZurik Operation

Rotary Control
Valves
Design & Construction

ANSI & ISA Face to Face

October 2005
 DeZurik Operation

Rotary Control Valves

V ported valves:
Uses a ball segment that is
Always in contact with the seat.

Up to 100:1 rangability.

Eccentric type:
Uses a plug that cams away
from the seat during opening

Ideal solution for erosive services

Such as slurries and steam.

Available with a range of flow

capacities.

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 DeZurik Operation

High performance
Butterfly Valve
Ideal economic choice for
larger line sizes

50:1 Rangeability

Modified equal percent flow

Characteristic

Fast accurate response to

Control signal

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Actuators
The actuator provides the muscle for the control valve and
is responsible for moving the valve control element to the
required stroke position.
Spring diaphragm actuators are the most widely recognized
and used by control valve suppliers.
Reverse acting; fail closed and direct acting; fail open.
Simplistic design ,few moving parts, and easy to maintain.
Double acting pistons
Smaller, lighter, and less expensive than diaphragm.
Fail in last position.
Actuators
Accessories
Positioners pneumatic input 3-15 psi
Electro-pneumatic 4-20 ma
(HART, Fieldbus, Profibus)
Limit switches
Position feedback
Review material

ISA Practical Guide Publications

Control Valves
Manufacturers data and guides.

Al Holton
NorEast Controls
al@allagashvalve.com
508-864-5984
Rotary Control
DeZurik Operation

Valves

October 2005