STE
Well Test Manual 3
Section 8
Instrumentation – Control
Valve Flow Characteristics
Table of Contents
Introduction and Objectives……………………………………… 8-2
Introduction………...…………….……………………………….. 8-3
Discussion of Flow Characteristics…………………………….. 8-3
Selection of Flow Characteristics………………………………. 8-4
Pressure Control Systems………...……………………………. 8-5
Liquid Control Systems…………………..……………………… 8-5
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Introduction
The section contains information on Flow Control Characteristics and the
selection of such.
Objectives
After completing this section, you should be able to
• Understand the reason behind flow control
• How to select a Pressure Controller.
• How to select a Liquid Controller.
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Control Valve Flow Characteristics
Introduction
The flow characteristic of a control valve is the relationship between the flow
rate through the valve and the valve travel as the travel is varied from 0 to
100%. “Inherent flow characteristic” refers to the characteristic observed with
a constant pressure drop across the valve. By “installed flow characteristic”,
we mean the one obtained in service where the pressure drop varies with flow
and other changes in the system.
The purpose of characterizing control valves is to provide for relatively uniform
control loop stability over the expected range of system operating conditions.
To establish the characteristic needed to “match” a given system requires a
dynamic analysis of the control loop. Analysis of the more common processes
has been performed however, so we can establish some useful guidelines for
the selection of the proper flow characteristic.
Discussion of Flow characteristics
The accompanying drawing illustrates typical flow characteristic curves. The
quick opening flow characteristic provides for maximum change in flow rate at
low valve travels with a fairly linear relationship. Additional increases in valve
travel give sharply reduced changes in flow rate, and when the valve plug
nears the wide-open position, the change in flow rate approaches zero. In a
control valve, the quick opening valve plug is used primarily for on-off service;
but it is also suitable for many applications where a linear valve plug would
normally be specified.
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The linear flow characteristic curve shows that the flow rate is directly
proportional to the valve travel. This proportional relationship produces a
characteristic with a constant slope so that with constant pressure drop, 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 and configuration, system operating
conditions and valve plug characteristic.) The linear valve plug is commonly
specified for liquid level control and for certain flow control applications
requiring constant gain.
In the equal percentage flow characteristic, equal increments of valve travel
produce equal percentage changes in the existing flow. The changes in flow
rate are always proportional to the flow rate just before the change in valve
plug, disc, or ball position is made. When the valve plug, disc, or ball is near
its seat and the flow is small, the change in flow rate will be small; with a large
flow, the change in flow rate will be large. Valves with an equal percentage
flow characteristic are generally used on pressure control applications and on
other applications where a large percentage of the pressure drop is normally
absorbed by the system itself, with only a relatively small percentage available
at the control valve. Valves with an equal percentage characteristic should
also be considered where highly varying pressure drop conditions can be
expected. Fisher Micro-form, Micro-Flust, V-Pup, equal percentage valve
plugs and cages all exhibit an equal percentage flow characteristic. Fisher
rotary stems Vee-Ball, Hi—Ball and butterfly valves have flow characteristics,
which are approximately equal percentage.
The modified parabolic flow characteristic curve falls between the linear and
equal percentage characteristics. Fisher throttle plug and V-port valve plugs
exhibit a modified parabolic flow characteristic. They can be substituted for
equal percentage valve plugs in many applications although at some sacrifice
in performance.
Selection of flow Characteristic
Here are some guidelines that will help in the selection of the proper flow
characteristic. Remember, however, that there will be occasional exceptions
to most of these “rules of thumb”, and that a positive recommendation is
possible only by means of a complete dynamic analysis. It should also be
notes that where a linear characteristic is recommended, a quick opening
valve plug could be used, and while the controller will have to operate on a
wider proportional band setting, the same degree of control accuracy may be
expected.
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Control Valve Flow Characteristics Continued
Liquid Level Systems
Control Valve Pressure Drop Best Inherent
Characteristic
Constant Δ P Linear
Decreasing ΔP with Increasing Load, ΔP at Maximum Load >
20% of Minimum Load ΔP Linear
Decreasing ΔP with Increasing Load, ΔP at
Equal-Percentage
Maximum Load < 20% of Minimum Load ΔP
Increasing ΔP with Increasing Load, ΔP at
Linear
Maximum Load < 200%of Minimum Load ΔP
Increasing ΔP with Increasing Load, ΔP at
Quick Opening
Maximum Load> 200% of Minimum Load ΔP
Pressure Control Systems
Best Inherent
Applications Characteristic
Liquid Process Equal-Percentage
Gas Process, Small Volume, Less Than l0ft. of Equal-Percentage
Pipe Between Control Valve and Load Valve
Gas Process. Large Volume Process has a
Receiver, Distribution System or Transmission Line
Exceeding 100 ft. of Nominal Pipe Volume Linear
Decreasing ΔP with Increasing Load, ΔP at
Maximum Load> 20% of Minimum Load ΔP
Gas Process. Large Volume. Decreasing ΔP with
Increasing Load, ΔP at Maximum Load < 20% of Equal-Percentage
Minimum Load ΔP
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Flow Control Processes
BEST INHERENT
LOCATION OF CHARACTERISTIC
CONTROL VALVE
FLOW MEASURE-
IN RELATION TO
MENT SIGNAL TO Small Range of
CONTROLLER
MEASURING Wide Range of Flow but Large ΔP
ELEMENT Flow Change at Valve
Set Point with increasing
Load
In Series Equal - Percentage
Linear
Proportional To
Flow In Bypass* Equal – Percentage
Linear
In Series Equal – Percentage
Linear
Proportional To
Flow Squared In Bypass* Equal - Percentage
Equal -
Percentage
*When control valve closes, flow rate increases in measuring element.
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