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SUMMARY
Restriction orifices and control valves are commonly used for pressure
reduction and measurement of flow rates, however for a liquid system,
excessive pressure drop across these items of equipment may result in
cavitation. This article describes methods of predicting cavitation across
restriction orifices and valves and proposes designs which may be used to
avoid cavitation.
1. DEFINITIONS
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2. INTRODUCTION
Cavitation occurs in liquid systems and is the result of rapid formation and
collapse of vapour bubbles in the liquid. Cavitation must be avoided or
controlled as the collapse of vapour bubbles releases significant energy at the
location of the bubble collapse. The consequences of this energy release are
typically loud noise and pitting damage to contact surfaces, which over time
may result in significant damage to or failure of equipment such as pumps or
valves.
Cavitation occurs at a region where the pressure is lower than the fluid
vapour pressure, such as the pump suction, or where a large pressure
reduction takes place. In this article we consider control valves and restriction
orifices, which are commonly used as pressure reduction steps in a liquid
system.
Cavitation may occur in a pressure reduction system even if the final system
pressure is the above vapour pressure of the liquid. This is because the
intermediate pressures may fall below the final pressure.
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P1 − Pv
Ci =
P1 − P2
The above equation allows the cavitation index for a particular device and
application to be determined. The value of Ci above is compared against
including, flow stability, piping geometry near the orifice and the particulars
of the orifice design. Some typical Ci values for restriction orifice and valves
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Ci Ci
Restriction Type
Typical Range
4. AVOIDING CAVITATION
Avoiding cavitation for pressure reduction in liquid is achieved in one of three
ways: multiple steps, tortuous paths, or controlled cavitation. Alternatively
designers may choose to accept some cavitation and use hardened trim control
valves. Each method has pros and cons, such as turn-down, costs, minimum Ci
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a control valve which directs jets of fluid at each other, allowing them to
combine and cavitate away from the metal surfaces of the valves.
The disadvantages of this design are that narrow pathways are normally used
and they will be susceptible to plugging. Additionally these valves are not
suitable for use in systems with very low Ci values.
Tortuous path arrangements can achieve very low Ci values, with some
The disadvantages of this technology are plugging and cost. The small
pathways of the valve are susceptible to plugging unless the fluid is clean.
Complicated manufacture and proprietary design mean these valves will also
have a relatively high cost.
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Using this type of valve may be appropriate where fluid is fouling (preventing
the use of tortuous path designs) and turn-down or space considerations
prevent the use of a multiple stage pressure reduction.
5. FURTHER READING
1. Flow Measurement Engineering Handbook
ARTICLE TAGS
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