CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

Reference: GPSA Engineering Databook, 11th Edition

Gas Service (Volumetric Flow):
Qg = Cg * ((520 / G*T)0.5)*P1*Sin [(3417 / C1)*((P / P1)0.5)]DEG
Alternatively

Cg = Qg / ((520 / G*T)0.5)*P1*Sin [(3417 / C1)*((P / P1)0.5)]DEG

Gas Service (Mass Flow):
Wg = 1.1*Cg *(( 1*P1)0.5)*Sin [(3417 / C1)*((P / P1)0.5)]DEG
Alternatively

Cg = Wg / 1.1*Cg *(( 1*P1)0.5)*Sin [(3417 / C1)*((P / P1)0.5)]DEG

where
Qg =

Volumetric Gas Flow Rate, ft3 / hr @ 14.7 psia, 60F (SCFH)

Wg =

Mass Flow Rate, lb/hr.

Cg =
G=
T=
P1 =

Gas Sizing Coefficient

specific gravity of gas (air = 1.0)
absolute temperature of gas at inlet, R

C1 = Cg/Cv
P =
1 =

Ratio of Gas Sizing Coefficient to Liquid Sizing Coefficient.

required pressure drop across control valve, psi

absolute pressure of gas at inlet of valve, psia

density at valve inlet pressure & temperature, lb/ft3

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)
Typical C1 & Cg values for valves in gas service:

Valve Style

Globe

Ball

Butterfly

Valve
Body
Size,
inches
1
1 1/2
2
2 1/2
3
4
6
8
1
1 1/2
2
3
4
6
8
10
12
2
2 1/2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16

Flow Characteristic
Equal Percentage
Linear
C1

Cg1

C1

Cg1

32.7
33.0
33.2
32.5
32.9
33.8
35.3
34.0
31.3
28.9
30.3
27.9
28.1
28.4
29.5
27.8
28.2
25.2
25.2
25.2
25.2
25.2
24.5
24.5
24.5
24.5
24.5
24.5

270
578
851
1600
2150
4100
8200
8300
363
1050
1620
3180
5010
8960
15100
26900
46300
965
1770
3120
6400
10800
17500
31100
48500
75300
89000
124000

31.9
32.4
32.0
32.0
31.5
33.2
34.4
36.6
-

528
1020
2050
2830
3970
6260
13000
18100
-

Notes:
1. At approximately 70% of valve
travel.
2. C1 & Cg values vary with
percentage of valve travel.
3. For a more detailed analysis
of capacity of a given valve at
other percentages of travel
consult manufacturer's data.

Linear Flow Characteristic:

The linear flow characteristic implies that the flow rate is directly proportional to the valve travel or
opening. This proportional relationship produces a characteristic with a constant slope so that with
constant pressure drop (delta P), the valve gain will be the same at all flows. Valve gain is the ratio of an
incremental change in flow rate to an incremental change in valve plug position. Gain is a function of
valve size & configuration, system operating conditions & valve plug characteristic).
Applications of Linear Flow Characteristic Control Valves:
Liquid level control & for certain flow control applications requiring constant gain.

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)
Selection Criteria for Linear Flow Characteristic Control Valve:
1. When the ratio of differential pressure across the control valve at minimum flow over the differential
pressure across the control valve at maximum flow is equal to or less than 1.5.
2. When the differential pressure conditions across the control valve under all specified flow conditions
are more than two-third (2/3) of the differential pressure across the control valve in the closed condition.
3. When 2 control valves are used in pairs as a 3-way valve.
4. For compressor recycle (spill-back) applications.
5. For compressor anti-surge control valves.
6. For pump minimum safe continuous recirculation flow applications.
7. For pressure reducing service where pressure drop is constant within +/- 15% over all specified flow
conditions.
Equal-Percentage Flow Characteristic:
In this flow characteristic, equal increments of valve travel (opening) produce equal percentage changes
in the existing flow. The change in flow rate is always proportional to the flow rate just before the change
in position is made for a valve plug, disc or ball position. When the valve plug, disc or ball is near its seat
& the flow is small, the change in flow rate will be small; with a large flow, the change in flow rate will be
large.
Applications of Equal-Percentage Flow Characteristic Control Valves:
These are generally used for pressure control applications. They are also used where a large percentage
of the total system pressure drop is normally absorbed by the system itself, with only a relatively small
percentage by the control valve. These are also recommended for applications where highly varying
pressure conditions can be expected.
Calculation steps for specifying gas service control valves:
1. Calculate the required Cg by using the sizing equation given above.
2. Select a valve from the manufacturers catalog (see table above). The valve selected should have a C g
which equals or exceeds the calculated value.. The assumed C 1 value for the Cg calculation must match
the C1 value for the valve selected from the catalog.

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

Liquid Service (Volumetric Flow):

QL = Cv * (P / G)0.5
Alternatively

Cv = QL*(G / P)0.5
where
QL =
G=
P =

Volumetric Liquid Flow Rate, gpm at inlet pressure & temperature

specific gravity of liquid (water = 1.0 @60F)
less than the maximum allowable pressure drop (Pmax across control valve for sizing or
actual pressure drop, psi

Note: For flashing liquids the following equation should be used to determine the maximum allowable
pressure drop that is effective in producing flow.

Pmax =

Km ( P1 - rc*Pv)

where
Km =
rc =

valve recovery coefficient (see table below for values)

Critical pressure ratio = 0.96 - (0.28*(P v / Pc )0.5)

Pv =

Vapor Pressure of liquid at valve inlet temperature, psia

Pc =
Absolute thermodynamic critical pressure, psia
If actual delta P is less than Pa, then the actual P should be used in the equation above for calculating
flow or coefficient..

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)
Typical Km & Cv values for valves in liquid service:

Valve Style

Globe

Ball

Butterfly

Valve
Body
Size,
inches
1
1 1/2
2
2 1/2
3
4
6
1
1 1/2
2
3
4
6
8
10
12
2
2 1/2
3
4
5
6
8
10
12
14
16

Flow Characteristic
Equal PercentageLinear- AntiStandard
cavitation Trim
Km
0.77
0.7
0.72
0.71
0.68
0.68
0.73
0.74
0.72
0.6
0.67
0.68
0.68
0.61
0.66
0.6
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55
0.55

Cv1
7.83
17.4
25.4
49.2
66
125
239
11.6
36.3
53.4
114
178
316
512
967
1640
38.3
70.4
124
254
428
713
1270
1980
3070
3630
5070

Km
0.87
0.82
0.81
0.88
0.89
0.8
0.82
0.73
0.72
0.72
0.71
-

Cv1
8.31
11.7
19.9
32.6
40.4
73.5
100
248
407
691
1010
-

Notes:
1. At approximately 70% of valve
travel.

Calculation steps for specifying liquid service control valves:

1. Calculate the required Cv by using the sizing equation given above. The P used in the equation must
be the actual valve pressure drop or Pmax, whichever is smaller.
2. Select a valve from the manufacturer's catalog, with a C v equal to or greater than the calculated value.

Prepared by: Ankur Srivastava

Chemical Engineer
e-mail:
ankur_2061@hotmail.com
Disclaimer: The information and methods included within this spreadsheet are presented for "control valve sizing"
calculations. It is intended to be used by technically skilled persons at their own discretion. I do not warrant the
suitability or accuracy of these methods.

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

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CONTROL VALVE SIZING

(GAS AND LIQUID SERVICE)

ed for "control valve sizing"

tion. I do not warrant the

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