Professional Documents
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flow data
flow factor and orifice size
Importance of properly sizing valves Conditions to be known The formulas necessary to determine the
Kv are quite complicated and for that
It is important to properly size a valve. In general, we must obtain as many of the reason ASCO/JOUCOMATIC has devel-
There are undesirable affects in both conditions surrounding the application as oped a series of flow graphs which reduce
undersizing and oversizing. possible. that problem to one of a simple multiplica-
tion or division.
Undersizing may result in: Flow required in cubic metres per hour All flow calculation work of a medium has
(m3/h) as used for liquids, Normal Cubic been simplified to a basic formula:
1) inability to pass desired flow requirements Metre per hour (nm3/h) as used for gases,
2) flashing of liquids to vapours on the or Kilogram per hour (kg/h) as used for
Flow required: Q
outlet size of the valve steam. This can be obtained by merely Kv = ---------------------
3) lowering the outlet pressure asking the customer's requirements or Graph factors: Fgm, Fsg, Fgl
4) creating a substantial pressure loss in from nameplates on pumping equipment,
a piping system boiler room charts or calculations. The graph factors Fgm, Fsg, Fgl can be
easily picked out by aligning known pres-
Oversizing may result in: Inlet Pressure (p1) - This is usually known sure conditions on the graphs I to X on the
by knowing the source of the supply or following pages (for calculations see next
1) unnecessary cost in oversized equipment readily obtained by placing a gauge near page).
2) variable flow through the valve or er- the valve inlet.
ratic control of the flow The tables below can be used to estimate
3) shorter life of some valve designs Outlet Pressure (p2) - This can be ob- a Kv if the orifice size is known or relate
through oscillating of internal parts tained by gauge observations but usually the approximate orifice size if the Kv is
caused by lack of flow to maintain re- is tied in with specifications regarding known. The chart is based on the ASCO/
quired internal pressure differentials allowable system pressure drop. If we JOUCOMATIC design of in-line globe type
4) erratic operation of some designs such know the inlet pressure and the pressure valves. The flow charts must be used for
as failure to shift position due to lack of drop, we, of course, know the outlet pres- precise sizing and converting Kv factors
required flow in 3- and 4-way valves sure. to actual flow terms and the catalogue
5) erosion or wire drawing of seats in sheet must be consulted for the actual Kv
some designs because they operate at Pressure Drop (∆p) - In large or compli- of a particular valve.
nearly closed position cated systems, it is desirable to keep the
pressure drop across a valve to a mini-
Definition of Kv mum and often the customer will have
definite specifications concerning the fac-
The flow coefficient Kv in cubic metres per tor. Of course, if the valve is discharging Approx. Approx.
orifice approx. Kv orifice approx. Kv
hour or litres per minute is a special volu- to atmosphere, the pressure drop is equal
size size
metric flow rate (capacity) through a valve to the inlet pressure when dealing with (mm) (m3/h) (l/min) (mm) (m3/h)(l/min)
at a specified travel and at the following liquids. With gases and steam, although
conditions: the valve may be discharging to atmos- 0.8 0,02 0,33 13 3 50,0
phere, when sizing a valve, only 50 per-
- the static pressure loss (∆pKv) across cent of the inlet pressure can be used for 16 4 66,7
the valve is 105 Pa (1 bar) the pressure drop used in the formulas 1.2 0,05 0,83
- the fluid is water within a temperature (commonly called critical pressure drop). 18 4,5 75,0
range of 278 K to 313 K (5°C to 40°C) In all other cases the pressure drop is, the
1.6 0,08 1,33 19 6,5 108
- the unit of the volumetric flow rate is the difference between inlet and outlet pres-
cubic metre per hour or liters per minute sures.
25 11 183
2.4 0,17 2,83
The value of Kv can be obtained from test Note: It often is difficult to understand the
32 15 250
results with the help of the following equa- meaning of the term "minimum operating
tion: pressure differential" (see page V1210). 3.2 0,26 4,33
38 22 366
Certain pilot operated valves operate by
∆pKv . ρ
Kv = Q differential pressures created internally 51 41 683
∆p . ρw by "pilot" and "bleed" arrangements. This
3.6 0,31 5,17
V1215-GB-R2 12
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
LIQUIDS (tables I and III) AIR AND GASES (tables I and IV - VII) STEAM (tables VIII - X)
To find Kv: What Kv is required to pass To find Kv: A valve is required to pass 14 To find Kv: A valve is required to pass 25
22 litres of oil per minute with a specific nm3/h at an inlet pressure of 4 bar and a kg/h of saturated steam at an inlet pres-
gravity of 0,9 and a pressure drop of 1,5 pressure drop (∆p) of 0,5 bar. sure of 1 bar and a ∆p of 0,2 bar.
bar? Find the Kv if the medium is carbon diox- What is the Kv?
ide.
The viscosity is less than 9° Engler.
Solution: The formula is: Solution: Refer to the 1-10 bar graph. Solution: Refer to the appropriate Steam
The formula used is: Graph.
Use the formula:
∆p ∆p(2P1 − ∆p)
Q (dm3 /min) = Kv1 Q (Ndm3 /h) = Kv.18, 9 ⋅ 293
S.G. (S.G.) (273 + t 2 )
S.G. : specific gravity related to water for liquids and to air for gases
t2 : fluid temperature (in °C)
V1215-2
TECHNICAL INFORMATION SECTION 12
Table I : Calculation factor Fsg Table II : Calculation factor Ft for temperature correction
Factor Fsg
Factor Ft
0,54
Factor Fgm (m3/h)
Factor Fgl (l/min)
0,48
0,42
0,36
0,30
0,24
0,18
0,12
0,06
0,03
V1215-3 12
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
Table IV : Flow calculation Fgm and Fgl for air/gas
V1215-4
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
Table VI : Flow calculation Fgm and Fgl for air/gas
Pressure drop ∆p (bar)
Inlet pressure of 1 to 10 bar (gauge)
V1215-5 12
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
Table VIII : Flow calculation Fgm and Fgl for steam
Pressure drop ∆p (bar)
Inlet pressure of 0,1 to 1 bar (gauge)
Table IX : Flow calculation Fgm and Fgl for steam Pressure drop ∆p (bar)
Inlet pressure 1 to 10 bar (gauge)
Table X : Flow calculation Fgm and Fgl for steam Pressure drop ∆p (bar)
Inlet pressure of 10 to 100 bar (gauge)
V1215-6
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
ADDITIONAL FLOW FORMULAS AND Definition of Kv- (or Cv-) coefficient expressed in units volume "A" per time
PHYSICAL DATA unit "B", that will pass through a valve
Valve flow coefficient Kv (or Cv) is the with a pressure drop equal to pressure
flow of water (specific gravity = 1), unit "C".
(See table below)
Flow calculation Air and Gases Steam and vapours (e.g. refrigerants)
V1215-7 12
ENGINEERING INFORMATION SECTION 12
V1215-8