Control valve characteristic

The Cv coefficient (flow coefficient) of a control valve depends

on the valve position.

Varies from zero (when the valve is closed, vp=0) to a

maximum value, Cv,max (when the valve is fully opened)

The variation in the Cv allows the valve to continuously

regulate the flow

The particular function relating the Cv coefficient to the valve

position is known as inherent valve characteristics.

3 common valve characteristics: quick-opening, linear, equal

percentage.
 Selection Criteria
Valve characteristics: Linear, equal percentage and quick opening.
What make a control valve becomes linear, equal
percentage or quick opening control valve?

The amount of flow produced with

respect to steady increment in
stem travel.
 Quick opening
not suitable for regulating flow because most of the variation
in the valve coefficient takes place in the lower third of the
valve level
very little variation in coefficient takes place for most of the
valve travel
appropriate for relief valves and for on-off control system
 Two chacteristics normally used to regulate flow are :
linear and equal percentage

linear
The function for linear characteristics
Cv (vp)=Cv,max vp
- Produce a coefficient proportional to the valve opening
- Used when the process is linear and the pressure drop
across the valve do not vary with flow
- 50% valve position = 50% Cv of its maximum coefficient
 equal percentage
The function for equal percentage characteristics
Cv (vp)=Cv,max vp-1 = rangeability parameter having a
value of 50 or 100
50 is most common
- Produce a exponential function to the valve opening
result in equal relative / percentage increments
- Used when the pressure drop across the valve do not vary
with flow, and with process which the gain decreases
when the flow through the valve increases.
- Exponential function has a property that equal increments
in valve position result in equal relative or percentage
increments in the valve coefficient
- When increasing the valve position by 1% the flow
increases by 1% of its value at the past valve position.
 Question
Valve characteristics: Linear, equal percentage and quick opening.

What will be the flowrate when the Example

indicator shows 0.75? 8 gpm

Quick opening
Flow coef. =
6 gpm
Flowrate =

Linear
Flow coef. = 4 gpm
Flowrate =

Equal percentage 2 gpm

Flow coef. =
Flowrate =
0 gpm
 Valve rangeability
Also called turn down ratio
Ratio of the maximum controllable flow to the
minimum controllable flow.
Measure of the width of operating flows the valve
can control
Common way to define the maximum and
minimum flow at 95 and 5% valve position

Another definition uses 90 and 10% valve

positions
 If the pressure drop across the valve is independent
of flow, the flow through the valve is proportional to
its Cv coefficient. We can calculate the valve
rangeability from its inherent characteristics.
linear characteristic Cv (vp)=Cv,max vp

Rangeability = 0.95/0.05 = 19
Equal percentage characteristic
Rangeability =-0.05 / -0.95 = 0.9
= 50 , rangeability =33.8 Cv (vp)=Cv,max vp-1
= 100 , rangeability =63.1

Quick opening characteristic

Rangeability = 3 (small range)