Valve Pressure Drop
Valve Pressure Drop
Valve Pressure Drop
The diameters before the CV are important for flow measurement accuracy and the diameters after
the CV maximise system pressure recovery.
When installed with 10 and 5 diameters, other pipework components, i.e. bends/ control valves etc.,
can be ignored and have no effect on accuracy or system pressure recovery.
Where it is not possible to install with 10 and 5 diameters, they can be decreased to 5 and 3
diameters with only slight reduction in accuracy. However, where the upstream diameters are
decreased to 5 clear straight diameters, it becomes important to consider components that are
installed within 5 diameters upstream of the CV. For example, control valves (with convoluted water
passage through them) would have a greater impact on accuracy than a concentric reducer or an
elbow which would have a greater impact than a slow bend.
Where the downstream diameters are decreased to 3, almost all the system pressure has been
recovered so the change from 5 to 3 has little impact.
^ Back to top
When used to protect items of plant (boilers / chillers / pumps etc.) strainers should be installed
upstream of the item to ensure that larger particles contained in the flowing water do not enter and
damage the item of plant.
Strainers can also be installed at strategic places, i.e. branches or in each terminal sub-circuit,
throughout the system to ensure that smaller particles contained within the flowing water do not pass
into the terminal units affecting their efficiency.
^ Back to top
Manufacturers publish a Flow Coefficient value to allow the calculation of pressure drop based on
flow rate.
For metric units, i.e. m3/hour and bar or l/s and kPa, the flow coefficient is Kv, whereas, for imperial
units, i.e. gpm and PSI, it is Cv.
As l/s and kPa are most commonly used, we will concentrate on Kv and not Cv.
An example is:
A flow rate of 0.225l/s passes through a D921 ¾” DRV (Double regulating Valve), calculate the
pressure drop when the valve is fully open (FO).
^ Back to top
1. System Pressure Test – to test integrity of the finished assembled system, i.e. ability of the
completed assembly of individual components to withstand pressure.
2. Valve shut-off Pressure Test – to test the ability of a valve, typically an Isolation Valve, to
close against a pressure.
Crane manufacture valves to allow system pressure testing to be carried out at 1.5 times maximum
working pressure of the valve, i.e. for PN16 valves the test pressure can be 16 x 1.5 = 24 bar. Note
that all valves must be in an open position.
The shut-off pressure test can be carried out at 1.1 time maximum working pressure, i.e. for a PN16
valve the test pressure can be 16 x 1.1 = 17.6 bar.
^ Back to top
The term ‘Orifice’ refers to the opening in the valve that the water flows through.
FODRV: With a FODRV the ‘orifice’ that creates the measured pressure drop, is an actual
opening of a fixed size, hence the term ‘Fixed orifice’. Fixed Orifice Valves have a single value for
the flow coefficient Kv (see Q5). For the FODRV this value is usually referred to as Kvs.
VODRV: With the VODRV the ‘orifice’ that creates the pressure drop is the seat / disc
assembly within the valve. As the gap between the seat and disc is different for different
handwheel positions, the flow coefficient Kv is changeable depending on the handwheel position,
hence the term ‘Variable Orifice’.
Because the FODRV does not have a changeable Kvs value, the accuracy remains at ±5%
irrespective of the handwheel position, whereas, for the VODRV, which has a variable Kv value, the
accuracy is ±5% when fully open but reduces to approximately ±18% when the valve is closed to its
minimum set position, i.e. 25% open (CIBSE recommendation).
Commissioning Engineers find it easier to work with FODRV because design pressure drops can be
calculated before attending site, whereas, with the VODRV the pressure drop must be re-calculated
during the commissioning process each time the handwheel position is changed.
^ Back to top
Copper-Alloy Valves:
For valves DN65 (2.1/2”) and above with a minimum pressure rating of PN32 the valves are tested
hydrostatically (water) pressure shell 1.5 x PN rating for a specified time, related to valve size that is
set down in BSEN 12266. Seat tests, where applicable, are 1.1 x PN rating for a specified time as
per the same standard.
Generally valves DN50 (2”) and below with pressure rating on PN25 and below can be tested as
above or on air at 6 bar shell and seat, if applicable for time specified in BSEN 12266. Crane
generally test at 6 bar air for production speed and volume with sample test on hydrostatic.
Iron Valves:
Iron valves are tested hydrostatically (water) pressure shell 1.5 x PN rating for a specified time,
related to valve size that is set down in BSEN 12266. Seat tests, where applicable, are 1.1 x PN
rating for a specified time as per the standard.
^ Back to top
^ Back to top
In general, the standard paint finish on Crane iron valves is suitable for most indoor environments.
Please seek advice for external applications or aggressive environments such as high humidity
levels.
^ Back to top
^ Back to top
^ Back to top