PS Sheet

PS 59:044(A)
November 2002

Flashing

Applications GuidelineFlashing (Water)

ASTM-SA-217 Grade WC9 is the Fisher
recommendation for flashing services since Grade C5
is more expensive, more difficult for the foundry to
pour, and usually has longer delivery than WC9. The
added moly of WC9 makes up for the lack of chrome.

Flashing is a phenomena that may, under certain

circumstances, occur as liquid flows through a valve.
Flashing occurs when a liquid transitions from a liquid
state to a vapor, and happens due to the relationship
between the pressure in a fluid and its velocity. As a
liquid flows through the most restrictive part of the flow
path, its velocity increases. As governed by Bernoullis
equation, if the velocity increases, the fluid pressure
decreases. If the pressure falls below the vapor
pressure for a particular fluid, the fluid will begin to
boil (or flash), changing into a vapor.

D Globe valve, flow down, carbon steel valve body,

416 SST Trim for all applications except water.

Flashing can result in two problems: (1) Erosion of the

valve body and trim parts due to the impingement of
high-velocity liquid droplets, and (2) Reduced capacity.

D For water applications a chrome moly or stainless

steel globe valve body with 416 SST trim should be
used.

Guidelines have been constructed from a broad base

of experience. There are undoubtedly exceptions;
therefore recent experience should be used for the best
valve selection. If you have any questions regarding
flashing application guidelines, call your Fisher sales
office.
An angle valve with standard trim in the flow down
direction and with a downstream liner is perhaps the
best solution to preventing flashing damage. The
reason this construction is an excellent choice is that
flashing damage occurs when high velocity vapor
bubbles impinge on the surface of a valve. An angle
valve reduces the impingement by directing flow into
the center of the downstream pipe, not into the valve
body. If damage does occur, the downstream liner can
be replaced much more economically than the valve
body.
Special materials can be used to reduce or eliminate
flashing damage, such as hardened trim and high
chrome body materials.
Generally, the harder the material of trim construction,
the more resistant to flashing and cavitation. The
philosophy of harder is better also applies to the valve
body. Typically, the power industry has standardized
on Chrome-Moly steel alloys for flashing service. Of
these alloys, ASTM SA-217 Grade C5 and Grade WC9
are the most common. Both material grades provide
excellent resistance to erosion while being fairly
economical.

www.Fisher.com

Service up to 100 PSIG drop

Service up to 200 PSIG drop

D Globe valve, flow down, chrome moly or SST
valve body, 416 SST trim.

Service from 200 to 400 PSIG drop

D Globe valve, flow down, chrome moly or SST
valve body
D Use stellited trim for service other than feedwater.
Use 440C trim if there is any possibility that it will be
used in amine treated feedwater or condensate mixed
with feedwater. Be careful of spraywater applications
since most will use feedwater as a supply.

Service over 400 PSIG drop

D Carbon steel angle valve body with liner or
chrome moly valve without a liner.
D V500 with trim 3 (solid alloy 6) reverse flow only
(note that a spool piece is recommended downstream
of the valve).
D Use stellited trim for non-feedwater applications
and 440C if flow media is, or contains, amine treated
feedwater. If it is a power plant application and you are
not sure of the water source, use 440C trim.

PS Sheet
PS 59:044(A)
November 2002

Flashing
Solution Rankings
Best SolutionCarbon steel angle valve, flow down,
with liner. If the valve body is chrome moly or SST, a
liner is not required.
Better SolutionV500, reverse flow, trim 3 (solid alloy
6), tack weld seat retainer to prevent back out
(optional). Review Power Sourcebook section on
heater drains applications for further information.
Good SolutionGlobe valve, flow down, WC9 chrome
moly valve body, 440C trim, or stellited trim (stellite not
to be used on feedwater service). Review Power
Sourcebook section on heater drains applications for
further information.
Stellite is also called:

CoCrA, Hardfacing
Alloy 6, Hardfacing Alloy
Stellite 6, Hardfacing
Stoody 6, Hardfacing
6, Alloy, Hardfacing

Alloy 6 (stellite) is excellent for corrosion and erosion

resistance for all flashing applications other than
feedwater applications. In feedwater the recommended
material is 440C. Fisher recommends a straight run of
pipe 8 to 10 pipe diameters downstream of the valve to
reduce pipe damage caused by flashing.
It is not uncommon to find entrained particles in both
steam and water lines that can cause erosion damage.
The entrained particles found in these systems are
nearly always iron oxides (rust) from other components
in the system. These materials are erosive and may
accelerate flashing damage.
Wet steam is very erosive and may also damage
downstream pipe. A spool piece of SST downstream of
the valve should be considered.

One of the best cures regardless of whether it is iron

oxide erosion or flashing damage is to use a section of
chrome moly or stainless steel pipe and pipe fittings
downstream of the valve wherever the damage is
occurring.
For valves that exhaust into the flash tank in a power
plant, an excellent solution is to place the outlet of the
valve directly into the flash tank. This may result in the
valve being installed in an orientation with the actuator
horizontal for angle valves. Fisher recommends
installation with the actuator vertical and on top.
However if you have a small valve, installing it with the
actuator horizontal should not cause a great problem. A
somewhat shortened trim life would be possible and
some actuator components may also be affected with
larger valve sizes. If you install ENVIRO-SEALr
packing in the valve, it should greatly help packing life
since it has bushings to support the side load rather
than relying on the soft packing for support.
Class V is recommended as the minimum shutoff
required. When the valve is in the closed position, with
leakage greater than class V, flashing damage will
occur downstream of the valve seat.
Assuming that the piping includes an elbow close to the
valve outlet, it is recommended that the customer
consider using a pipe tee rather than an elbow. This
can allow the use of a blind flange that can be replaced
rather than blowing a hole through an elbow.

Note
Fisher does not assume responsibility
for the selection, use, or maintenance
of any product. Responsibility for
proper selection, use, and
maintenance of any Fisher product
remains solely with the purchaser and
end-user.

ENVIRO-SEAL and Fisher are marks owned by Fisher Controls International LLC, a business of Emerson Process Management.
The Emerson logo is a trademark and service mark of Emerson Electric Co. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.
This product may be covered by one or more of the following patents: 5,129,625; 5,131,666; 5,056,757; 5,230,498; and 5,299,812 or under
pending patents.
The contents of this publication are presented for informational purposes only, and while every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy,
they are not to be construed as warranties or guarantees, express or implied, regarding the products or services described herein or their use
or applicability. We reserve the right to modify or improve the designs or specifications of such products at any time without notice.
Fisher does not assume responsibility for the selection, use or maintenance of any product. Responsibility for proper selection, use and
maintenance of any Fisher product remains solely with the purchaser and end-user.
Emerson Process Management
Fisher
Marshalltown, Iowa 50158 USA
Cernay 68700 France
Sao Paulo 05424 Brazil
Singapore 128461
www.Fisher.com
2
EFisher
Controls International LLC 2002; All Rights Reserved Printed in USA