SIZING OF CONTROL VALVES

LIQUIDS
1.-) Size a control valve for the following service (Volumetric Base)

Fluid: Ethyl Alcohol

Gf 0.789
Specific Gravity
Flow, Q 200GPM

Differential Pressure, P 15PSI

The formula used to calculate the Cv is as follows:

gf
Resume Q
P
Cv 45.869

WATER VAPOR
2.-) Size a control valve for the following service (Basic Base)

Fluid: Water

Vapora

P1 450 14.7 psia
Pressure,
P1 464.7 psia
Temperature, T 489
°F
Flow, W 10000gpm

Differential Pressure
P1 50 psi

Degrees of Superheating over the saturation temperature, Tsh

it is obtained by interpolating in the Vapor Table:
T 29.5°F
P2 P 1 P 1
P2 414.7 psi
The formula used to calculate the Cv is as follows:

Cv W  1 0.0007 T
2.1 1  P1 P 2
P
Cv 670.391

3.-) Calculate the maximum flow rate for a control and service valve given (Basic Mass)
Fluid: Water Vapor
Pressure,
p1 150 psig

P1  14.7
p 1  psia
P1 164.7 psia
Temperatura, T Saturación Tsh 0 °F

CV
CVmax 400
Downstream pressure,
p2 14 psig

P2  14.7
p 2  psia
P2 28.7 psia
P downstream
Despicable
The formula used is as follows:

CVmax W  1 0.0007 Tsh

2.1 1  P1 P 2
P

P1  P 1P 2
W 2.1 CVmax 
P1
1 0.007 Tsh
Pactual
2
then
P1
P
2
P1
P3
2
P1 82.35psig

P3 82.35 psig

CVmax 400
P1  P 1P 3
W 2.1 CVmax 
1 0.007 Tsh
Lb
5
W 1.198 10 h

GAS SERVICE
4.-) Size a control valve for the following service (Volumetric Base)
Fluid: Nitrogen
Pressure,
p1 190 psig
P1  14.7
p 1  psia
P1 204.7 psia
Temperature, t 70°F

Flow,
Qv 2000SCFM
Qv 120000scfh
Sizing Differential Pressure
P 75psig
Compressibility factor,
Z 0.994
The formula used is as follows:
Qv T Gb Z
Cv
1360 P P2

Gb
specific gravity under base conditions. It is obtained from Table 4.49 Page 327 of Volume III of the
Instrumentation in the Process Industry – Williams & Andrew

Gb 0.967
P2

P 1 P  psia
P2 129.7 psia
T t 460 °R
T 530 °R
Qv T Gb Z
Resume
1360 P P2

Curriculum Vitae 20.192

5.-) Calculate the maximum capacity for a control valve and a given service (Base
volumetric)

Fluid: Air
p
Pressure, 1
100 psig

P1  p 114.7  psia
P1 114.7 psia
Temperature, t 60°F

Discharge Pressure,
p2 15 psig

P2 p 214.7 psia
P2 29.7 psia
Sizing Coefficient,
Cv 63
Compressibility factor,
Z 0.998

The formula used will be obtained from the following equation:

Qv T Gb Z
Resume
1360 P P
2
Cv
Qv 1360
T Gb Z
P P2
Gb
specific gravity under base conditions. Obtained from Table 4.49 p. 327 of Volume III of
Instrumentation in the Process Industry – Williams & Andrew
Gb 1
T t 460 °R
T 520 °R
P1 114.7 psia
P1
Pactual
2
so
P1
P
2
P1
P2
2
P 57.35 psig
P2 57.35 psig
Resume 63
1
Qv 1360 Cv
T Gb Z
P P2

5
Qv 2.157 10 scfh
Qv 3595scfm

6.-) Size a control valve for the following service (Basic base)
Fluid: Ethane
Pressure,
p1 300 psig

P1  14.7
p 1  psia
P1 314.7 psia
Temperature
t 300
°F

Flow,
lb
In 1500 h
Sizing Differential Pressure,
P 60psig
The formula used is as follows:
W T Z
Cv
104 P P
2 Gb
Gb
specific gravity under base conditions. It is obtained from Table 4.49, page 327 of Volume III of
Instrumentation in the Process Industry - Williams&
Andrew
Methane 30.068
PMaire 28.966
PMetano
Gb
PMaire
Gb 1.038
Determination of the Compressibility Factor, Z
Tc= 531.5 °R
T t 460 °R
T 760 °R
T
Tr
531.5
Tr 1.43

Pc= 749.3 psia

P1
Pr
749.3
Pr 0.42
From the Z Graph as a function of Pr and Tr
Z 0.955
P2  P1 P  psia
P2 254.7 psia
Finally
W T Z
Cv
104 P P
2 Gb

Cv 3.085

7.-) In an 8" schedule 30 pipe, a maximum of 1600 gpm of river water flows. The pressure at
The piping, immediately above the control valve, is 27.9 psig, or 42.6 psia. The pressure in the
The piping, immediately downstream of the valve, is 20 psig or 34.7 psia.
Select and size an appropriate control valve.
If we select a 60° butterfly valve, from the Table of Representative Factors of
appendix F, we have:
Cd 17
Data
G 1
P1 42.6 psia

Qv 1600gpm
P2 34.7psia

P P
1 P 2 psig

P 7.9 psig
P
Qv Fp Resume
G
Therefore,
Qv
Fp Cv
P
G
1600
Fp Cv
7.9
1

Fp Resume 569
required

Test a 6" valve

d 6in
Cd 17
2
C d Cd
cuim
rlaV
tei
Cv 612
Calculate Fp for the 8" x 6" reducers.
D 8in
d
D
0.75

K 1.51
K 0.287
 2
2
1
2
2
Cd
Fp K 1
890
Fp 0.956
Fp Resume 0.956 612
Fp Cv 588
Therefore, a 6" valve is accepted for service.

8.-) A saline solution with a specific gravity of 1.2 is being pumped, under flow control,
through a 4" schedule 40 pipe. The flow is steady, with no significant disturbances.
Using the P vs Q curve of the pump, calculating the head losses, and correcting for
changes in potential and kinetic energy, the conditions at maximum and minimum flows
controllables were computed as indicated below:

Máximo Mínimo
q 250 36 gpm
p141.8 47.4 psia
p231.8 26.6 psia
P 10 20.8 psi

If we select a cage-guided globe valve with flow tending to

opening it, the table of representative factors gives us:

Cd 14

Since there are no significant disturbances, the margin above the 250 gpm required
for control it will be minimal. There could be a problem with the rangeability.

The plant's turndown is only:

250
TD
36
 7
TD
1

However, the valve, given that the pressure drop goes from 10 psi to 20.8 psi, must be enabled.
to control above a range greater than:

250 20.8
TDv
36 10
10
TDv
1

The value of Fp*Cv must exceed:

1.2
Fp Resume 250
10
Fp Cv 87

Now we must check if the speed is reasonable. (See Appendix E of the book 'Control-Valve
"Selection and Sizing" by Les Driskell to obtain the speed formulas)

q 250gpm
D 4.026in
q
U
2
2.45 D
ft
U 6.295 s OK

If we test a 3" valve, the value of the Cv:

Cd 14
2
Resume d Cd
d 3in
2
Cv 3 14
Cv 126

We now calculate the effects of the 4"x3" reducers:

d
D
0.745

K 1.51
K 0.297

2
2
 1
2
2
Cd
Fp K 1
890
Fp 0.969
Fp Resume 0.969 126
Fp Cv 122
available
q hs hf hd
36 22.9 0 62,9
250 22,9 9,9 19,3

where:
hs is the static height in ft

hf is the friction height in ft

hd is the dynamic height in ft

The question we must ask ourselves, at this point in the problem, is: will the control valve
sufficient extra control capacity at 250 gpm?
The delta P across the fully open valve will be less than the 10 psi available at 250 gpm.
Let's assume that a 10% margin for control is sufficient. Then the maximum flow
required is:
qm q 1.10
qm 275 gpm
The results show that the friction loss in the piping system at 250 gpm will be 9.9
fluid ft.

At 275 gpm the friction loss will be:

2
275
hf 9.9
250
hf 12
From the pump's h vs q curve, the total dynamic head at 275 gpm is:
hd 47.4ft
The pressure drop through the valve and reducers is:
hs 22.9ft
Pm hd hs  hf
Pm 12.5 ft
From the equation:
qm 275
 275
Fp Cv
1
2
P
G
1
2
P
qm Fp Resume
G
275
Fp Resume
1
2
G
12.5 0.433
G

Fp Resume 118
required

This means that the selected control valve meets the flow requirements.
maximum.
Finally, at the minimum flow rate of 36 gpm, the resistance of the reducers is disregarded, due to
so much

Fp 1

So it is obtained:
qmi 36gpm
1
2
P
qmi Fp (Cv)
G
P 20.8 ft
G 1.2
36
Fp Cv
1
2
20.8
1.2
36
Fp Cv
1
2
P
G

Fp (Cv) 8.65
This represents only 7% of the maximum or 'rated' Cv and just around the stability limit of
valve control. Fortunately, the application is not demanding: 'Flow Control with
despicable disturbances.

Note: in this problem the valve data was taken from Appendix F. These factors
they could be taken from a manufacturer's catalog if the brand were known in advance
who will provide these equipment.

9.-) A natural gas flow flows in a 10" schedule 40 pipe at a flow rate of 1.2
millions of scfh and its pressure is reduced, from 15 psig to 10 inches of water column. The gravity
the specific heat is 0.6, the temperature is 40°F and k is 1.26.
The selected valve is a 60° butterfly valve.
Find the size of the valve and check for any issues in the service.
6
q 1.2 10scfh
t 40°F
D 10.02in
Z 1
to that P and t
k 1.26
p1 15 psig

M 29
P1  14.7
p 1  psia
P1 29.7 psia
10
P2  14.7
27.7 psia
P2 15.1 psia
For a butterfly valve of 60°, the characteristic factors are:
Cd 17
Xt 0.38
Calculations:
P 1P 2
x
P1
x 0.49
k
Fk
1.40
Fk 0.9
Fk Xt 0.9 0.38
Fk Xt 0.34
shocked flow
Y 0.67
T1 t 460 °R
T1 500 °R
Using the equation:
1
2
x
q 1360 Fp Cv1 P Y
G T1 Z
q
Fp Cv
1
2
x
1360 P1 Y
G T1 Z
6
1.2 10
Fp C
cuim
rla
V
tei
1
2
0.49
1360 29.7 0.67
0.6 500 1

Fp Cv 1097
required

A 10" valve has a rated Cv:

2
Cv D Cd
Resume 1707

A line-sized valve is questionable. Check the speeds to avoid

irrationalities:
6
q 1.2 10scfm
T 500°F
q T
U1
2
694 P1 D
ft
U1 290 s
q T
U2
2
694 P2 D
ft
U2 572 s
Calculation of acoustic velocity:
 1
2
k T
Ua 223
M
You 1039

Similarly, the Mach number, downstream of the valve, is given by:

569
N
1039
Without analyzing the noise calculation result, it is known that a Mach number greater than 0.3
it will produce an excessive level of noise. (Note: this comment does not guarantee that the noise level will be met.
acceptable by the Standard. In this example, the noise level should be >96 dBA, and will require a
noise reduction system; unless the valve is located in an isolated area).
The good practice of design indicates that a larger diameter pipe, downstream of the valve,
will be necessary.

Probaremos con una cañería de 12" de diámetro nominal:

2
10
Mach 0.42
12
Mach 0.292

A 10" x 12" reducer will be necessary to install for this piping system, so the calculation
of K will be:

d 10in
D 12in
2
2
d
K2 1
D
K2 0.093
4
d
KB2 1
D
4
10
KB2 1
12
KB2 0.52
K K
2 K B2
K 0.093 0.52
K 0.427
1

2 2
K (Cd)
Fp 1
890
 1

2 2
0.427  17
Fp 1
890
Fp 1.08
Given that:
Resume 1707
So

Fp Cv   
Fp Resume  

F
The required value of the product p*Cv is 1097 or 59.6% capacity