Worked Example

Training Module #4
r Flow Through a Control Valve

Pipe Version 3.3 Rod Dry

Feb 2017
 Worked
Example
Water Flow Through a Control Valve
Training Module #4: Problem Statement

Water Flow Through a Control Valve

Water at a (constant) feed pressure of 4 barg flows
through a DN400 pipe fitted with an equal percentage
globe valve. Downstream there is a restriction of 200
mm ID and beyond this the sink pressure is 2 barg. The
sink is elevated about 6m above the source.

1. What is the maximum water flow through this

system when the valve is 100% open?

2. Will the valve provide reasonable flow control?

3. If the globe valve is replaced by a (possibly cheaper)

butterfly valve, will flow control be reasonable?
 Training Module #4: Step 1 of 11
1. Click on the Quick Start Icon ( ) and say Yes to the
current project overwrite warning.
2. Select Pipe with Globe Valve and Downstream Orifice,
select parameters as indicated and press Go.
Water/Steam
4 barg source

2 barg sink

valve 100% open

orifice 200 mm

DN400 Sch 40
Training Module #4: Step 2 of 11
1. Right-click in the fluid sink, select Edit and re-name it to
2 barg Sink then click Modify Current Fluid Sink. (We want it
re-named so we can use it later.)
2. Click on Edit Existing Line to open the Line Editor.
3. Press Remove Last Section to remove the sink.
Training Module #4: Step 3 of 11
1. Click Edit on Bend 1, check DN400 Pipe Sch 40 is selected and
click Accept
Training Module #4: Step 4 of 11
1. Press Turn Up
2. Press Add Pipe 1
3. Press Turn North
4. Press Add Pipe 1
5. Select the sink (2 barg Sink) then press Add
Sink

If you are working with a single screen,

you can click Toggle Opacity to make
the line builder semi-transparent. You
will then be able to see through it and
view the pipeline as it grows
Training Module #4: Step 5 of 11
1. Right-click on the vertical pipe section and
select Edit
2. Set the length to 6 m and press OK
3. Click the Solve arrow
Training Module #4: Step 6 of 11
1. Select Fluid Pressure

Maximum flow rate

(with valve 100%
open) is 1121 t/h
Training Module #4: Step 7 of 11
1. Right-click on the valve and select Valve Curve
2. Select 10 Steps Across the Range and press Calculate (be
patient it may take a while)
Training Module #4: Step 8 of 11
Installed valve characteristic looks OK for flow
control
Training Module #4: Step 9 of 11
1. Right-click on the valve, select Edit then press Edit
Valve Type
2. Select Butterfly Valve then press OK.

Of course,
you can edit
the valve
curve if you
wish
Training Module #4: Step 10 of 11
1. Right-click on the valve and select Valve Curve
2. Select 10 Steps Across the Range and press Calculate
Training Module #4: Step 11 of 11
Installed valve characteristic is not really suitable for flow
control
(control action is essentially in the bottom 30% of stem
position range)
Training Module #4: Solution Review

Water Flow Through a Control Valve

Water at a (constant) feed pressure of 4 barg flows
through a DN400 pipe fitted with an equal percentage
globe valve. Downstream there is a restriction of 200
mm ID and beyond this the sink pressure is 2 barg. The
sink is elevated 6m above the source.

1. What is the maximum water flow through this

system when the valve is 100% open? Answer: 1121
t/h

2. Will the valve provide reasonable flow control?

Answer: Yes

3. If the globe valve is replaced by a butterfly valve,

will flow control be reasonable? Answer: No, not
really
Final Step: Save For Future Reference
1. Select File Save Pipe Project As and call this case
Water Control Valve Example, then press Save.

2. Select File Open Pipe Project and verify that the case
is there, ready to be opened when you need it again.

Well done, we are now ready to move on to Module #5