PS Sheet

PS 80.2:005(A) November 2006

Cavitation Guidelines

Cavitation Guidelines
Cavitation in control valves can be an application challenge. This PS Sheet defines Emerson Process Management cavitation terminology, introduces ISA terminology, and offers guidelines in selecting an appropriate valve and trim. Certain cavitation applications can be effectively and economically handled by standard valves. Others require some level of anti-cavitation trim. Experience, knowledge of where cavitation problems begin, and the effect of valve size and type, are all useful in deciding which valve and trim can be used.

Valve Selection Procedure

1. Determine nPFlowing (Hereafter called nPFlow) 2. Calculate Ar a. If Ar w 1.0 the service is flashing. b. If Ar t 1.0 the service is potentially cavitating. 3. Use nPFlow and Ar in conjunction with the following tables of valve / trim nP limits and Kc indices as well as other valve selection criteria (P1, temp., style, etc.) to make a valve selection. The cavitation coefficient (Kc) is presented here as a group of tables listing the Kc based on valve type and pressure drop limit. Select a valve / trim that has a nP limit higher than the service nPFlow and a Kc higher that the service Ar.

Terminology
D FL - Liquid pressure recovery factor A valve parameter used to predict choked flow. (See Fisherr Catalog 12 for appropriate values.) nPAllowable = The limiting pressure drop beyond which any increase in pressure drop brought about by decreasing P2 will not generate additional flow through the valve. Therefore the valve is choked". nPAllowable = FL2(P1 (FF)(Pv)) P1 = The Inlet Pressure - absolute. FF = Liquid critical pressure ratio factor (same as rc in Emerson Process Management terminology). Pv = The vapor pressure for the fluid at the service temperature. D Kc - Cavitation coefficient An Emerson Process Management valve parameter dependent on valve style and trim. It predicts the beginning of cavitation related damage and vibration problems for a particular valve/trim style. nPCavitation = Kc(P1 Pv) D Ar - Application ratio A cavitation index which is dependent on the actual service conditions. It indicates the presence of flashing or potentially cavitating services. Ar = (nPFlow) / (P1-Pv) D Ki - Incipient Cavitation coefficient A valve parameter which predicts the point of initial generation and collapse of vapor bubbles. (Specific values of Ki are generally not available). nPIncipient Cav. = Ki(P1 Pv)

Additional Guidelines
1. For all valve styles and sizes, applying back pressure to the valve can eliminate cavitation. This solution is most effective when the service conditions do not vary widely. 2. Fluids information: a. Cold water is the most common problem fluid. b. Pure component fluids, similar to water, can also cause problems. c. Fluid mixtures such as crude oil and other hydrocarbon mixes can be less damaging even when the numbers indicate cavitation is present. Experience is most useful here. These guidelines have been constructed from a broad base of experience. There are undoubtedly exceptions to these guidelines, and as always recent experience should be used to select the best valve for specific applications. Please call Applications Engineering in Marshalltown for further guidance.

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Cavitation Guidelines
Application Guidelines for Standard Valves
These guidelines are intended to provide valve selections free of cavitation related material and vibration damage over the long term. The guidelines do not indicate an absence of cavitation. Thus, noise due to cavitation may still be present. If noise is a concern, use the hydrodynamic noise prediction to assist in selecting a valve. The following restrictions apply to these guidelines: D Water only D Customer requirements which may require use of different guidelines. Examples: Long maintenance intervals Very low noise requirements Different fluids Corrosive an/or erosive environment Installation limitations Valve usage rate
Table 1. Kc Values for V150, V200, and V300 Valves
V150, V200, V300 STYLE V150, V200, V300 without HD metal seal V150, V200, V300 with HD metal seal SIZE, INCHES 1-2 3-4 6-12 14-20 1-2 3-12 KC = 1.0 <150 psid <100 psid <50 psid <25 psid <150 psid <100 psid KC = 0.67 FL2 >150 psid >100 psid >50 psid >25 psid >150 psid >100 psid

PS 80.2:005(A) November 2006

Table 2. Kc Values for Aspiration
SPECIAL TRIMS AND TECHNIQUES

SIZE, INCHES 4-24

Kc = 1.0 <150 psid

Kc = 0.67 FL2 >150

Aspirated

Table 3. Kc Values for CV500 Valves

CV500 STYLE All CV500 SIZE, INCHES 1-2 3-12 Kc = 1.0 <150 psid <100 psid Kc = 0.67 FL2 >150 psid >100 psid

Table 4. Kc Values for V500 Valves

V500 STYLE V500 Trim 1, 2 V500 Trim 3, 4 SIZE, INCHES All 1-2 3-4 6-8 Kc = 1.0 N/A <300 psid <200 psid <100 psid Kc = FL2 For all dP >300 psid >200 psid >100 psid

Table 5. Kc Values for Butterfly Valves

BUTTERFLY STYLE All Butterflys SIZE, INCHES 2-4 6 & up Kc = 1.0 <50 psid N/A Kc = 0.5 FL2 >50 psid For all dP

Application Guidelines for V150, V200, and V300 Valves with Rotary Attenuator
Pulp Stock Consistency Guidelines <2% Consistency: Use attenuator trim and size using Kc in table 6. 2% to 4% Consistency: Contact the Emerson Process Management Applications Group to discuss the specific application. > 4% Consistency: Attenuator is not required. Kc = 1.0 for standard Vee-Ballr valves.
Table 6. Kc Values for V150, V200, and V300 Valves with Rotary Attenuator
VALVE SIZE, INCH 4, 6, and 8 10, 12, and 14 16 and 20 16 and 20 If DP is (psid) 0 to 130 0 to 90 0 to 25 0 to 40 and Rotation is 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 60 Degrees then Kc = 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 If DP is (psid) 130 to 160 90 to 120 25 to 60 40 to 80 and Rotation is 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 90 Degrees 0 to 60 Degrees then Kc = Km Km Km Km If DP is (psid) Over 160 Over 120 Over 60 Over 80 and Rotation is 0 to 30 Degrees 0 to 30 Degrees 0 to 30 Degrees 0 to 30 Degrees then Kc = 0.85 km 0.85 km 0.85 km 0.85 km or Rotation is 30 to 60 Degrees 30 to 60 Degrees 30 to 60 Degrees 30 to 60 Degrees then Kc = 0.80 km 0.80 km 0.80 km 0.80 km or Rotation is 60 to 90 Degrees 60 to 90 Degrees 60 to 90 Degrees 60 to 90 Degrees then Kc = 0.70 km 0.70 km 0.70 km 0.70 km

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PS 80.2:005(A) November 2006

Cavitation Guidelines
Application Guidelines for Cavitrolr Trim
These guidelines will aid in selecting a valve and trim designed to prevent cavitation and thus offer long term valve life in potentially cavitating services.
Table 10. Cavitrolr III Trims
Hydrocarbon(1) Boiler Feedwater Cat. 1 Cat. 2 Cat. 2 - - -(2) Sweet Cat. Cat. Cat. Cat. 1 2 2 2 Sour Cat. 1 - - -(2) - - -(2) Cat. 2 TRIM Cavitrol III 1 stage SIZE, INCHES 1-2 3-6 8-24 1-2 3-6 8-24 1-24 1-12 Kc = 1.0 <600 psid <500 psid <400 psid <2160 psid <1800 psid <1200 psid <3000 psid <3000 psid Kc = FL2 600-1440 psid 500-1440 psid 400-1440 psid N/A 1800-2160 psid 1200-2160 psid N/A 3000-4000 psid (Kc = 0.99) N/A

Globe/Angle Valves Without Cavitrolr Trim Select Category 1 or Category 2 from table 7, then select appropriate Kc from table 8.

Table 7. Trim, Fluid, and Category

FLUID TRIM MATERIAL 316 SST 416 SST 440C 316/Alloy 6 Water Clean Cat. Cat. Cat. Cat. 1 2 2 2 Salt/Sour Cat. 1 - - -(2) - - -(2) Cat. 2

Cavitrol III 2 stage Cavitrol III 3 stage Cavitrol III 4 stage

1. The hydrocarbon must not contain sand. 2. Do not use this material with this fluid.

Table 8. Kc Values per Category from Table 7

TRIM Plug Characterized Cat. 1&2 (e.g. Micro-Form, Micro-Flute, EZ and GX) Cage Characterized Cat. 2 Cage Characterized Cat. 1 SIZE, INCH All Kc = 1.0 <75 psid Kc = FL2 75-100 psid Kc = 0.85 FL2 >100 psid

Cavitrol III 2 stage with Micro-Flat plug and seat Cavitrol III 3 stage with Micro-Flat plug and seat

All

<2160 psid

All

<3000 psid

N/A

1-2 3-4 6-12 16-24 1-12

<300 psid <200 psid <100 psid <50 psid <100 psid

>300 psid >200 psid >100 psid >50 psid >100 psid

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Table 11. Cavitrolr IV Trims

TRIM Cavitrol IV 3 stage Cavitrol IV 4 stage SIZE, INCHES All All Kc = 1.0 <3500 psid <6000 psid Kc = FL2 N/A N/A

Table 9. Angle Valve Body, Flow Down, with Micro-Flat Anti-Cavitation Plug and Seat (using standard cage, not Cavitrolr III cage)
TRIM Micro-Flat SIZE, INCHES All Kc=1.0 <750 psid Kc=F2L 750-1000 psid

Table 12. DST, Dirty Service Trim

SIZE, INCHES Stages 2 All 3 4 6 Kc = 1.0 <750 psi (52 bar) <1500 psi (103 bar) <3000 psi (207 bar) <4000 psi (276 bar)

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Cavitation Guidelines
ISARP75.231995 "Considerations for Evaluating Control Valve Cavitation"
This is a Recommended Practice, not an ISA Standard. In section 2, Purpose, it states the following: Cavitation as an applied science has not evolved to the highly refined level of that supporting the more traditional control valve sizing calculations. However, there is a great need by users and manufacturers alike for practical information in this area. The purpose of this document is to supply that information, and to that end it is necessarily broad in scope." ISA Subcommittee SP75.16 recognizes that the science of cavitation is in its infancy in terms of defining the behavior of cavitation in complex valve geometry." This practice establishes a set of common terminology and sets a starting point for advanced studies of cavitation in valves. You may receive a request from a customer familiar with this standard for valve application per the practice. Amid the many definitions is one called Manufacturers recommended cavitation limit", the

PS 80.2:005(A) November 2006 symbol being mr. This limit is defined as (P1Pv)/(P1P2) at the manufacturers defined operation limit for the valve under the defined service conditions. Notice that mr is exactly the inverse of Emerson Process Managements Kc. To satisfy the customers request for application according to this recommended practice, use the tables included here, find the appropriate Kc value, use that Kc value in Emerson Process Managements sizing programs, and report the Kc and mr values to the customer explaining the relationship. The recommended practice also defines scale effects for pressure and valve size. The current Kc factors already account for size and pressure and so the ISA recommended practice scale effects should not be applied to Kc. Note Neither Emerson, Emerson Process Management, nor any of their affiliated entities assumes responsibility for the selection, use and maintenance of any product. Responsibility for the selection, use, and maintenance of any product remains with the purchaser and end-user.

Cavitrol, Vee-Ball, and Fisher are marks owned by Fisher Controls International LLC, a member of the Emerson Process Management business division of Emerson Electric Co. Emerson Process Management, Emerson, and the Emerson logo are trademarks and service marks of Emerson Electric Co. All other marks are the property of their respective owners. The contents of this publication are presented for informational purposes only, and while every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy, they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use or applicability. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of such products at any time without notice. Neither Emerson, Emerson Process Management, nor any of their affiliated entities assumes responsibility for the selection, use and maintenance of any product. Responsibility for the selection, use and maintenance of any product remains with the purchaser and end-user.

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