Valve Sizing & Selection

Ranjeet Kumar
M.Tech Chemical

08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 2
Steps in Sizing
Science with many rules of thumb
Define the System.
Maximum Pressure Drop for the Valve.
Calculate the valve Characteristics (C
v
).
Preliminary valve selection.
Check the C
v
and stroke percentage at minimum flow.
Check the gain across applicable flow rates.

08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 3
Define the System Key Variables
Total pressure drop,
Design flow,
Operating flow,
Minimum flow,
Pipe diameter,
Specific gravity
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 4
Maximum Allowable Pressure Drop
The usual rule of thumb is that a valve should be designed
to use 10-15% of the total pressure drop or 10 psi,
whichever is greater.
Investigate the Pump & its maximum available head.
MAPD = NPHSA NPSHR.
Trade off-
larger pressure drops increase the pumping cost (operating) &
smaller pressure drops increase the valve cost because a
larger valve is required (capital cost).
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 5
Valve Characteristics C
v





Note Check thumb rules before referring valve chart or
characteristic curve.

08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 6
Preliminary Valve Selection
Thumb Rules
Never use a valve that is less than half the pipe size.
Avoid using the lower 10% and upper 20% of the valve stroke.
The valve is much easier to control in the 10-80% stroke
range.
Select the type of valve & use its corresponding valve
chart.
Valve chart is supplied by manufacturer.
Check C
v
for minimum flow with selected size of valve &
check for minimum flow should not fall below 10% of valve
stroke.


08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 7
Valve Chart / Characteristics Curve
Table 1 Chart for Equal Percentage Globe Valve
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 8
Gain across applicable flow rates
Gain #1 = 85/38 = 2.2
Gain #2 = 40/12 = 3.3
Acceptance criteria :
Gain should never be less than 0.5.
Gain#2 Gain#1 < 50% of (max of Gain#1 or Gain#2)
Here 0.5 (3.3) = 1.65
and 3.3 - 2.2 = 1.10. Since 1.10 is less than 1.65 so it can be a
choice
Flow
(GPM)
Stroke
(%)
Change in
Flow(GPM)
Change in
stroke (%)
25 35 110 25
= 85
73 35 =
38
110 73
150 85 150-110
= 40
85 73 =
12
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 9
Choke Flow F
L
At max restriction flow rate is max & pressure is
minimum.
Vapor bubbles flashes if liquid pressure falls below Vapor
Pressure of liquid.
Bubbles has (a) no effect on flow, (b) increases pressure
drop across valve, (c) cavitations
Decreased efficiency
Noise
Vibration
Material loss sand blasted surface
F
L
checking is recommended when difference in Max & Min
flow exceed 90% of Max flow.
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 10
Basic Valve Types mechanical characteristics
Ball valves;
Diaphragm valves;
Gate valves;
Globe valves;
Butterfly valves;
Plug valves;
Check valve;
Safety/relief valve
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 11
Basic Valve Types control / openness
Equal Percentage: equal increments of valve travel produce
an equal percentage in flow change.
Large changes in pressure drop are expected
Minimum pressure drop due to valve
In temperature & pressure control loop

Linear: valve travel is directly proportional to the valve stoke
In liquid level or flow loops
Pressure drop across valve is almost constant.

Quick opening: large increase in flow with a small change in
valve stroke
For frequent on-off services
Instantly large flow is needed.
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Gate Valve
Best Suited Control: Quick Opening
Recommended Uses:
Fully open/closed, non-throttling
Infrequent operation
Minimal fluid trapping in line

Advantages:
High capacity
Tight shut off, Low cost, Little resistance to flow

Disadvantages:
Poor control
Cavitate at low pressure drops
Cannot be used for throttling

Applications: Oil, Gas, Air, Slurries, Heavy liquids, Steam, Non-
condensing gases, and Corrosive liquids
08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 13
Globe valve
Best Suited Control: Linear and Equal percentage
Recommended use-
Throtteling services/flow regulation
Frequent operation

Advantages:
Efficient throttling
Accurate flow control valves
Available in multiple ports

Disadvantages:
High pressure drop
More expensive than other

Applications: Liquids, vapors, gases, corrosive substances,
slurries

08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 14
Ball valve
Best suited control Quick opening linear.
Recommended uses
Fully open/closed limited throttling
Higher temperature fluids
Advantages
Low cost
High capacity
Low leakage & maintenance
Tight sealing with low torque
Disadvantages
Poor throttling characteristics
Prone to cavitation
Applications Most Liquids, high temperatures, slurries

08 Jan 09 Ranjeet Kr. 15
Butterfly valve
Best Suited Control: Linear, Equal percentage
Recommended Uses:
Fully open/closed or throttling services
Frequent operation
Minimal fluid trapping in line
Advantages:
Low cost and maint.
High capacity
Good flow control
Low pressure drop
Disadvantages
High torque required to control
Prone to cavitation at lower flows
Applications: Liquids, gases, slurries, liquids with suspended
solids