Control Valve Characteristics
Control Valve Characteristics
Control Valve Characteristics
BASIC
OPERATION
AND
FUNCTION
OF
CONTROL
VAL
V AL VE S
ys
lwa
i o n er A ation!
i t b r
't Seal! Pos s Cali
ets Won Nee
d
Gask
aks!
lwa ys Le
ing A
Pack
High !! ge!
ually ce aka
Unus aintenan t le
M sea
Trim much
NOISY
!! Too
TING!!
VIBRA L!
ON TRO
S YC
LOU
G!
TLIN
??What is RAT
happening inside
that valve??
That valve
drives me
crazy!
Table of Contents
TOPIC - SUBJECT SECTION
Terminology-------------------------------------------------------------- 1
Control Valve Basic Designs --------------------------------------- 2
Characterization and Trim Design-------------------------------- 3
Control Valve Technical Considerations ----------------------- 4
Force-Balance Principle --------------------------------------------- 5
Actuator Basic Designs---------------------------------------------- 6
Control Valve Unit Action ------------------------------------------- 7
Actuator Benchset Range------------------------------------------- 8
Valve Positioner Basics---------------------------------------------- 9
Control Loop Action -------------------------------------------------- 10
Control Valve Packing Designs ----------------------------------- 11
Seat Leakage ------------------------------------------------------------ 12
-2-
SECTION 1
Terminology
-3-
CONTROL VALVE TERMINOLOGY
(per ISA-DS75.05)
1. SCOPE AND PURPOSE
2. BASIC DEFINITIONS
actuator: An actuator is a pneumatic hydraulic, or electrically powered device which supplies force and
motion to open or close a valve.
airset: A regulator which is used to control the supply pressure to the valve actuator and its auxiliaries.
angle valve: A valve design in which one port is collinear with the valve stem or actuator, and the other
port is at a right angle to the valve stem.
bellows stem seal: A thin wall, convoluted, flexible component that makes a seal between the stem and
bonnet or body and allows stem motion while maintaining a hermetic seal.
benchset: The calibration of the actuator spring range of a control valve, to account for the in service
process forces.
body: The main pressure boundary of the valve that also provides the pipe connecting ends, the fluid flow
passageway, and supports the seating surfaces and the valve closure member.
bonnet: The portion of the valve that contains the packing box and stem seal and may guide the stem. It
may also provide the principal opening to the body cavity for assembly of internal parts or be an integral
part of the valve body. It may also provide for the attachment of the actuator to the valve body. Typical
bonnets are bolted, threaded, welded to, pressure-sealed, or integral with the body.
butterfly valve: A valve with a circular body and a rotary motion disk closure member, pivotally supported
by its shaft.
cage: A part of a valve trim that surrounds the closure member and may provide flow characterization and/
or a seating surface. It may also provide stability, guiding, balance, and alignment, and facilitate assembly
of other parts of the valve trim.
cavitation: A two-stage phenomenon of liquid flow. The first stage is the formation of vapor bubbles within
liquid system due to static pressure of fluid at vena contracta falling below the fluid vapor pressure; the
second stage is the collapse or implosion of these cavities back into an all-liquid state as the fluid deceler-
ates and static pressure is recovered.
characteristic, flow: An indefinite term, see characteristic, inherent flow and characteristic, installed
flow.
- characteristic, equal percentage: An inherent flow characteristic which, for equal increments of rated
travel, will ideally give equal percentage changes of the existing flow coefficient (Cv).
-4-
- characteristic, inherent: The relationship between the flow coefficient (Cv) and the closure member
travel as it is moved from the closed position to rated travel with constant pressure drop across the
valve.
- characteristic, linear: An inherent flow characteristic that can be represented by a straight line on a
rectangular plot of flow coefficient (Cv) versus rated travel. Therefore, equal increments of travel
provide equal increments of flow coefficient (Cv).
- characteristic, quick opening: An inherent flow characteristic in which a maximum flow coefficient is
achieved with minimal closure member travel.
characterized cam: A component in a valve positioner used to relate the closure member position to the
control signal.
characterized trim: Control valve trim that provides predefined flow characteristics.
closure member: The movable part of the valve that is positioned in the flow path to modify the rate of
flow through the valve.
- characterized: Closure member with contoured surface, such as the vee plug, to provide various
flow characteristics.
- cylindrical: A cylindrical closure member with a flow passage through it (or a partial cylinder).
- eccentric: Closure member face is not concentric with the stem centerline and moves into seat when
closing.
- eccentric spherical disk: Disk is spherical segment, not concentric with the disk stem.
- linear: A closure member that moves in a line perpendicular to the seating plane.
- rotary: A closure member which is rotated into or away from a seat to modulate flow.
coefficient, flow: A constant (Cv) related to the geometry of a valve, for a given valve travel, that can be
used to predict flow rate.
control valve: A valve which controls the flow rate or flow direction in a fluid system. The final control
element, through which a fluid passes, that adjusts the flow passage as directed by a signal from a cont-
roller to modify the flow rate.
dual sealing valve: A valve that uses a resilient seating material for the primary seal and a metal-to-metal
seat for a secondary seal.
end connection: The configuration provided to make a joint with the pipe.
- end connections, flanged: Valve body with end connections incorporating flanges that mate with cor-
responding flanges on the piping.
- end connections, split clamp: Valve end connections of various proprietary designs using split
clamps to apply gasket or mating surface loading.
- end connections, threaded: Valve end connections incorporating threads, either male or female.
- end connections, welded: Valve end connections which have been prepared for welding to the line
pipe or other fittings. May be butt weld (BW), or socket weld (SW).
-5-
erosion resistant trim: Valve trim, that has been designed with special surface materials or geometry to
resist the erosive effects of the controlled fluid flow.
extension bonnet: A bonnet with a packing box that is extended above the bonnet joint of the valve body
so as to maintain the temperature of the packing above or below the temperature of the process fluid. The
length of the extension bonnet is dependent upon the difference between the fluid temperature and the
packing design temperature limit as well as upon the valve body design.
face to face dimension: The dimension from the face of the inlet opening to the face of the outlet opening
of a valve or fitting.
facing, flange: The finish on the end connection that mates with gasket surfaces.
failure mode: The position to which the valve closure member moves when the actuating energy source
fails.
- fail-closed: A condition wherein the valve closure member moves to a closed position when the ac-
tuating energy source fails.
- fail-in place: A condition wherein the valve closure member stays in its last position when the actuat-
ing energy source fails.
- fail-open: A condition wherein the valve closure member moves to an open position when the actuat-
ing energy source fails.
- fail-safe: A characteristic of a particular valve and its actuator, which upon loss of actuating energy
supply, will cause a valve closure member to fully close, fully open or remain in fixed last position. Fail-
safe action may involve the use of auxiliary controls connected to the actuator.
flangeless control valve: A valve without integral line flanges, which is installed by bolting between
companion flanges, with a set of bolts, or studs, generally extending through the companion flanges.
guides, closure component: The means by which the closure is aligned with the seat and held stable
throughout its travel. The guide is held rigidly in the body, bonnet, and/or bottom plate.
hand jack: A manual override device, using a lever, to stroke a valve or to limit its travel.
handwheel: A mechanical manual override device, using a rotary wheel, to stroke a valve or to limit its
travel.
hard facing: A material applied to valve internals to resist fluid erosion and/or to reduce the chance of
galling between moving parts, particularly at high temperatures.
hard plating: A thin metal deposit, sometimes electroplated, used to induce surface hardening. Hard
plating is many orders of magnitude thinner than hard facing.
hysteresis: The maximum difference in output value for any single input value during a calibration cycle,
excluding errors due to dead band.
integral seat: A flow control orifice and seat that is an integral part of the body or cage.
jacketed valves: A valve body cast with a double wall or provided with a double wall by welding material
around the body so as to form a passage for a heating or cooling medium. Also refers to valves which are
enclosed in split metal jackets having internal heat passageways or electric heaters. Also referred to as
steam jacketed or vacuum jacketed. In a vacuum jacketed valve, a vacuum is created in the space
between the body and secondary outer wall to reduce the transfer of heat by convection from the at-
mosphere to the internal process fluid, usually cryogenic.
-6-
lantern ring: A rigid spacer assembled in the packing box with packing normally above and below it and
designed to allow lubrication of the packing or access for a leak-off connection.
leakage, class: Classifications established by ANSI B16.104 to categorize seat leakage tolerances for
different sizes of control valve trim.
leakage, seat: The quantity of fluid passing through a valve when the valve is in the fully closed position
with pressure differential and temperature as specified.
leak-off gland: A packing box with packing above and below the lantern ring so as to provide a collection
point for fluid leaking past the primary seal (lower packing).
lined valve body: A valve body in which a coating or liner has been applied to internal surfaces for cor-
rosion/erosion protection or for flow shut off.
liner, slip-in: An annular shaped liner which makes a slight interference fit with the body bore and which
may be readily forced into position through the body end. May be plain or reinforced. Applies to butterfly
valves.
liquid pressure recovery factor: The ratio (FL) of the valve flow coefficient (Cv) based on the pressure
drop at the vena contracta, to the usual valve flow coefficient (Cv) which is based on the overall pressure
drop across the valve in non-vaporizing liquid service. These coefficients compare with the orifice metering
coefficients of discharge for vena contracta taps and pipe taps, respectively. See ANSI/ISA-S75.01 Control
Valve Sizing Equations.
lubricator isolating valve: A manually operated valve used to isolate the packing lubricator assembly from
the packing box.
lubricator packing box: A packing arrangement consisting of a lantern ring with packing rings above and
below with provision to lubricate the packing.
mechanical limit stop: A mechanical device to limit the valve stem travel.
mounting position: The location and orientation of an actuator or auxiliary component relative to the
control valve. This can apply to the control valve itself relative to the piping.
multiple orifice: A style of valve trim where the flow passes through a multiple of orifices in parallel or in
series.
nominal size: A numerical designation of size which is common to all components in a piping system other
than components designated by outside diameters or by thread size. It is a convenient round number for
reference purposes and is only loosely related to manufacturing dimensions. ISO uses initials DN as an
abbreviation for the term with the letters DN followed by a numerical value designating size. All equipment
of the same nominal size and nominal pressure rating shall have the same mating dimensions appropriate
to the type of end connections.
packing: A sealing system consisting of deformable material contained in a packing box which usually has
an adjustable compression means to obtain or maintain an effective seal.
packing box: The chamber, in the bonnet, surrounding the stem and containing packing and other stem
sealing parts.
packing flange: A device that transfers the deforming mechanical load to the packing follower.
-7-
packing follower: A part which transfers the deforming mechanical load to the packing from the packing
flange or nut.
packing lubricator assembly: A device for injection of lubricant/sealer into a lubricator packing box.
pinch or clamp valve: A valve consisting of a flexible elastomeric tubular member connected to two rigid
flow path ends whereby modulation and/or shut off of flow is accomplished by squeezing the flexible
member into eventual tight sealing contact.
plug valve: A rotary motion valve with a closure member that may be cylindrical or conical.
port guiding: A valve closure member with wings or a skirt fitting into the seat ring bore.
positioner: A position controller, which is mechanically connected to a moving part of a final control
element or its actuator, and automatically adjusts its output pressure to the actuator in order to maintain a
desired position that bears a predetermined relationship to the input signal. The positioner can be used to
modify the action of the valve (reversing positioner), extend the stroke/controller.
positioner, double acting: A positioner with two outputs, suited to a double acting actuator.
positioner, single acting: A positioner with one output, suited to a spring opposed actuator.
position switch: A position switch is a pneumatic, hydraulic or electrical device which is linked to the valve
stem to detect a single, preset valve stem position.
position transmitter: The position transmitter is a device that is mechanically connected to the valve stem
or shaft and generates and transmits a pneumatic or electrical signal representing the valve position.
post guiding: A design using guide bushing or bushings fitted into the bonnet or body to guide the plugs
post.
rangeability inherent: The ratio of the largest flow coefficient (Cv) to the smallest flow coefficient (Cv)
within which the deviation from the specified inherent flow characteristic does not exceed the stated limits.
rated travel: The amount of movement of the valve closure member from the closed position to the rated
full open position.
seat: The area of contact between the closure component and its mating surface which establishes valve
shut-off.
seat ring: A part of the valve body assembly that provides a seating surface for the closure member and
may provide part of the flow control orifice.
spring rate: The force change per unit change in length of a spring.
stem connector: The device which connects the actuator stem to the valve stem.
stem guide: A guide bushing closely fitted to the valve stem and aligned with the seat.
-8-
three-way valve: A valve with three end connections, used for mixing or diverting flow.
throttling: The action of a control valve to regulate fluid flow by varying the position of the closure member.
This service generates a variable pressure drop.
transducer: A device that is actuated by power from one system and supplies power in another form to a
second system.
travel: The movement of the closure member from the closed position to an intermediate or rated full open
position.
travel indicator: A pointer and scale used to externally show the position of the closure member; typically
in terms of units of opening percent of travel or degrees of rotation.
trim: The internal components of a valve which modulate the flow of the controlled fluid.
- trim, anti-cavitation: A combination of control valve trim that by its geometry reduces the tendency of
the controlled liquid to cavitate.
- trim, anti-noise: A combination of control valve trim that by its geometry reduces the noise generated
by fluid flowing through the valve.
- trim, balanced: Control valve trim designed to minimize the net static and dynamic fluid flow forces
acting on the trim.
- trim, reduced: Control valve trim which has a flow area smaller than the full flow area for that valve.
- trim, soft seated: Valve trim with an elastomeric, plastic or other readily deformable material used
either in the closure component or seat ring to provide tight shutoff with minimal actuator forces.
unbalance, dynamic: The net force/torque produced on the valve stem/shaft by fluid pressure acting on
the closure member and stem/shaft at stated travel and flowing conditions.
unbalance, static: The net force produced on the valve stem by the fluid pressure acting on the closure
member and stem with the fluid at rest and with stated pressure conditions.
valve: A device used for the control of fluid flow, consisting of a fluid retaining assembly, one or more ports
between end openings and a movable closure member which opens, restricts or closes the port(s).
- valve, ball: A valve with a rotary motion closure member consisting of a full ball or a segmented ball.
- valve, diaphragm type: A valve with a flexible linear motion closure member which is moved into the
fluid flow passageway of the body to modify the rate of flow through the valve by the actuator.
- valve, floating ball: A valve with a full ball positioned within the valve that contacts either of two seat
rings and is free to move toward the seat ring opposite the pressure source when in the closed position
to effect tight shutoff.
- valve, globe: A valve with a linear motion closure member, one or more ports and a body distin-
guished by a globular shaped cavity around the port region.
vena contracta: The location in a flow stream where fluid velocity is at its maximum and fluid static pres-
sure and the cross-sectional area are at their minimum. In a control valve, the vena contracta normally
occurs just downstream of the actual physical restriction.
yoke: The structure which rigidly connects the actuator power unit to the valve.
-9-
SECTION 2
Control Valve
Basic Designs
- 10 -
CONTROL VALVE CLASSIFICATION
In addition to LINEAR and ROTARY, control valves are also classified according to their GUIDING
METHODS, CHARACTERIZATION METHODS, and the nature of SERVICES they are applied within.
CONTROL VALVE
ROTARY
LINEAR SLIDING STEM
Angle
Full FTC
Segmented FTO
3-Way
Lined V-Notch
Mixing Unlined
Diverting
Std.-Straight Metal Seated
Swing-Thru
Double Seated
Semi-Balanced Eccentric
(Hi-Performance)
Single Seated
Balanced FTC
Std. Body Unbalanced FTO
Split Body Unbalanced FTC
GUIDING ACTUATOR
Flow Flow
Direction Direction
FTC FTO
(Packing
exposed to
higher P1
pressure)
GLOBE VALVE
- 12 -
LINEAR CONTROL VALVES
FTC
DIAPHRAGM VALVE
FTO
PINCH VALVE
DOUBLE-SEATED
GLOBE VALVE
THREE-WAY
GLOBE VALVE
- 13 -
ROTARY CONTROL VALVES
Metal-Seated, Eccentric,
Swing-Thru High Performance
Lined
FTO FTC
THROTTLING O N- O F F
Dissipate P No/Minimum P dissipated
Small shafts Large shafts
Heavy guiding Loose/light guiding
Tighter internal tolerances Greater internal tolerances
Minimum actuator power Overpowering actuator
Subject to high velocity; Low velocity normal;
greater wear, vibration minimal wear and vibration
Subject to cavitation and No cavitation or flashing
flashing Long life installed
Limited life installed P capability up to end conn
Limited P capability pressure class maximum
Internal unbalanced forces Minimal unbalanced forces
Noise IS a consideration Noise is NOT a consideration
Internal design centers Internal design centers
around characterization around seat design
& guiding
- 15 -
ADVANTAGES
ROTARY VS. LINEAR
PERFORMANCE FACTOR ROTARY LINEAR
Capacity - Cv X
High PThrottling X
High PShutoff X
Rangeability X
Reduced Port Incorporation X
First Cost - $ X
$ - Cost/Cv X
Cavitation Resistant X
Noise Resistant X
Abrasion Resistant X
Slurry Flow - Solids + Liquid X
Ease of Maintenance X
Replacement Parts Cost - $ X
Packing Problems X
Simplicity X
Compactness (with spring-
diaphragm actuator) X
Operation (without positioner) X
ATC-FO
PThrottling = P1 - P2
PSizing = P1 Min- P2 Max = PMin
PShutoff = P1 Max - 0 = P1 Max
125# FLG.
- 18 -
Sizing Pressure Drop Psizing = P1 - P2
* Determines Cv suitable body size.
* Influences trim design.
- 19 -
SECTION 3
Characterization and
Trim Designs
- 20 -
- 21 -
LINEAR CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
1
CvActual = CvMax {[ %Travel
100
x (1
1
Rangeability )] + ( Rangeability )}
% Travel 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
{ } .020 .118 .216 .314 .412 .510 .608 .706 .804 .902 1.000
Cv Actual 2.0 11.8 21.6 31.4 41.2 51.0 60.8 70.6 80.4 90.2 100.0
Valve with - Cv = 100, Rangeability = 50:1
100
9 0
8 0
7 0
Cv - CAPACITY
6 0
5 0
CONSTANT
4 0 GAIN
3 0
2 0
1 0
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% TRAVEL
Cv @ 30% = 31.4
% Change = (41.2 - 31.4) x 100%
Cv @ 40% = 41.2 31.4
= 31.2%
Cv @ 70% = 70.6
% Change = (80.4 - 70.6)x100%
Cv @ 80% = 80.4 70.6
= 13.9%
- 22 -
EQUAL PERCENTAGE CURVE
(%Travel) x LN(Rangeability)
Cv @ 100%
CvActual = xe 100
Rangeability
% Travel 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
[%TRAVEL*LN(RGBLTY)]/100 0.00 0.39 0.78 1.17 1.56 1.96 2.35 2.74 3.13 3.52 3.91
EXP(LN Function) 1.00 1.48 2.19 3.23 4.78 7.07 10.46 15.46 22.87 33.81 50.00
[CvMax/(RGBLTY)]*[EXP(LN Function)] 2.00 2.96 4.37 6.47 9.56 14.14 20.91 30.92 45.73 67.62 100.00
90
80 HIGH
GAIN
70
60
50 50%Capacity
@ 82.3% travel
40
30 MEDIUM
GAIN
82.3
20 LOW
GAIN
10
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
% TRAVEL
- 23 -
LINEAR RESPONSE
POSITIONER OUTPUT
TRAVEL SIGNAL BENCHSET RANGE - psig
P/P, psig I/P, mA 3-15 5-13 6-30 10-26 8-20
0% 3 4 3 5 6 10 8
25% 6 8 6 7 12 14 11
50% 9 12 9 9 18 18 14
75% 12 16 12 11 24 22 17
100% 15 20 15 13 30 26 20
- 24 -
EQUAL PERCENTAGE CURVE ROTARY
(deg Travel) x LN(Rangeability)
Cv @ 90
CvActual = xe 90
Rangeability
degrees Travel 0 1 0 2 0 3 0 4 0 5 0 6 0 7 0 8 0 9 0
[degree TRAVEL*LN(RGBLTY)]/90 0.00 0.43 0.87 1.30 1.74 2.17 2.61 3.04 3.48 3.91
EXP(LN Function) 1.00 1.54 2.39 3.68 5.69 8.79 13.57 20.96 32.37 50.00
[CvMax/(RGBLTY)]*[EXP(LN Function)] 2.00 3.09 4.77 7.37 11.38 17.58 27.14 41.92 64.75 100.00
=% CHARACTERISTIC CURVE
4 8 12 16 20
4-20mA
LOAD
3 6 9 12 15
100 3-15 psig
LOAD
9 0
8 0
7 0
Cv - CAPACITY
6 0
5 0
4 0
3 0
2 0
1 0
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90
degrees TRAVEL
- 25 -
- 26 -
GLOBE VALVE CHARACTERIZATION & TRIM DESIGN
- 27 -
SECTION 4
Control Valve
Technical Considerations
- 28 -
FTO vs. FTC
FTC-FLOW TO CLOSE
FTC
FTO-FLOW TO OPEN
FTO
- 29 -
"C L A S S I C " G L O B E V A L V E "N O T S O C L A S S I C " R O T A R Y
G L O B E V A L V E ; i .e .
ECCEN TR I C P LU G V A LV E
- 30 -
- 31 -
SECTION 5
Force-Balance Principle
- 32 -
FORCE - BALANCE PRINCIPLE
Control valves operate according to the force-balance principle.
SPRINGS
FRICTION
- 33 -
FLUID PRESSURE-TO-SURFACE AREA
DIAPHRAGM
PLUG-PORT
- 34 -
SECTION 6
- 35 -
- 36 -
- 37 -
SECTION 7
- 38 -
CONTROL VALVE ATO-FC ACTION
From Positioner,
Controller, Airset,
etc.
Pload
Load
P2
P1
FUp = FDown
P1 x APort + PLoad x ADiaph + Packing = FSpring + P2 x APlug
- 39 -
CONTROL VALVE ATC-FO ACTION
Load From Positioner,
Controller, Airset,
etc.
Pload
PSize = P1 - P2
1. PShutoff is usually greater
PShutoff P1 - PAtm than PSize
P2
P1
FUp = FDown
P1 x APort + FSpring = Packing = PLoad x ADiaph + P2 x APlug
- 40 -
CONTROL VALVE ATO-FC ACTION
Load From Positioner,
Controller, Airset,
etc.
Pload
P1
P2
FUp = FDown
P2 x APort + FSpring + Packing = PLoad x ADiaph + P1 x APlug
- 41 -
CONTROL VALVE FAIL-SAFE POSITIONS
There are two primary system considerations centering around an emergency operational
situation for control valves
There are four choices as to control valve response to the emergency condition
a.) Fully Close
b.) Fully Open
c.) In Last Position
d.) Continue Throttling
For either fail-safe loss of IAS or loss of electrical power, it is the actuator's benchset
range spring that drives the control valve's plug to its fail-safe open or closed position.
a.) Fully Close. The actuator's benchset range spring drives the valve plug
closed when loading air pressure goes towards or near 0 psig.
(ATO-FC Reverse)
b. Fully Open. The actuator's benchset range spring drives the valve plug
open when loading air pressure goes toward or near 0 psig.
(ATC-FO Direct)
A similar scheme to I.a. previous may be applied for ATC-
FO arrangements for fail open control valves to eliminate
transitory effects.
- 42 -
c.) In Last Position. This is accomplished with a lockup valve, which is a 2-
way pilot switching valve. If the air
pressure is lost from the control loop's
airset, the lockup valve will close and
trap the air within the actuator's
loading chamber. If no air leaks are
present, the control valve will stay at
the last throttling position. Such loops
are normally local. (Control valve
action is a non-issue.)
- 43 -
II. Loss of Electrical Power
c.) In Last Position. This is accomplished with a 2-way solenoid valve. In the
energized condition, the solenoid valve ports are open; loading air passes thru. In the
de-energized condition, the solenoid valve
closes and traps the air within the actuator's
loading chamber. If no air leaks are present,
the control valve will stay at the last throttling
position. (Control valve action is a non-issue.)
- 44 -
SECTION 8
- 45 -
BENCHSET RANGE ATO-FC
Benchset Range = 5-13 psig
Shutoff P = 600 psid
ATO-FC (Reverse Action)
Shutoff capability
2
is increasing
450
1
Shutoff capability is directly proportional to the ability to unload the actuator down
to 0 psig pressure level. If there is any instrument that will NOT unload down to the
0 psig output pneumatic pressure, the shutoff capability will be reduced. Devices
that can cause a problem by NOT unloading down to 0 psig are
15
300
P - psid
Shutoff capability
16 is increasing
450
17
- 47 -
SECTION 9
- 48 -
BASICS OF VALVE POSITIONERS
Positioners are generally mounted on the side-yoke or top casing of the pneumatic
actuator for LINEAR--SLIDING-STEM control valves, and at/near the end-of-shaft for
ROTARY control vales. For either basic design type, mechanical feedback linkage
connected directly to the valve's stem provides feedback that if the SIG changes from
one steady-state output to another output SIG level, that the valve stem reacts and also
moves to reach a second steady-state output SIG level. I.E. The process controller tells
the positioner to change position; the feedback linkage reports back to the positioner
confirming that a change has occurred and gives a sense of the magnitude of the
change in position.
- 49 -
BASICS OF VALVE POSITIONERS CONT'D
SIG and LOAD are the same flow stream. Actuator air flows thru the pneu-
matic controller and the interconnecting tubing; air vented thru controller.
No stem position feedback. Thus, there will be hysteresis in opening and closing
response.
SIG and LOAD are two separate flow streams. Actuator air flows thru the
P/P positioner and its short interconnecting LOAD tubing. Pneumatic controller air
flows thru the tubing interconnecting the controller and the P/P positioner, the SIG
tubing; this is an impulse (i.e. pressurization only) tube.
A positioner provides feedback to the control loop in that a change in controller SIG
output forces a change in positioner LOAD output which results in a valve stem travel;
the mechanical feedback linkage then confirms that travel occurred, If no travel is fed
back to the positioner, positioner output will continue to change until stem travel is
confirmed.
- 50 -
BASICS OF VALVE POSITIONERS CONT'D
Rotary Control Valve with P/P Positioner
Because a double-acting, piston actuator requires loading air to both sides of the
actuator's piston, two separate positioner outputs LOAD 1 and LOAD 2 are
required; i.e. double-acting positioner. Thus, a double-acting piston actuator requires a
positioner 100% of the time.
- 51 -
SECTION 10
- 52 -
- 53 -
- 54 -
SECTION 11
Control Valve
Packing Designs
- 55 -
Control Valve Packing
Packing is a sealing system which normally consists of a deformable material such as TFE, graphite, asbestos,
Kalrez, etc. Usually the material is in the form of solid or split rings contained in a packing box. Packing material
is compressed to provide an effective pressure seal between the fluid in the valve body and the outside
atmosphere.
At one time it was believed that the more packing you had in a control valve the better it would seal. Since
FUGITIVE EMISSIONS has become a concern, extensive testing has shown that better sealing can be obtained
by minimizing the number of packing rings.
New standards are being developed to which manufacturers will be asked to test their control valves. Test results
from using these standards will allow a user to predict how well a particular valve and packing combination will
hold up.
Definitions
Consolidation: Packing consolidation is the shortening of a packing stack under load due to the elimination of
voids in, between, and around the packing rings. This causes a reduction in packing stress (Radial Load) and can
be the mechanism for packing leakage to begin. Consolidation can occur when the packing wears, cold flows, is
subjected to thermal gradients, or if a nonuniform stress distribution in the packing exists.
Extrusion: When packing is loaded to its proper stress level it has a tendency to cold flow and extrude between
the stem and the follower. Any increase in temperature will increase the tendency of the packing to cold flow.
PTFE is very susceptible to extrusion because it has an expansion rate roughly ten times that of carbon steel. As
the packing tries to expand in the fixed volume of the packing box, extrusion will occur. This material loss due to
extrusion will relieve the axial stress, which relaxes the radial stress and results in a loss of seal. Anti-extrusion
adaptor rings are located normally at the top and bottom of the packing ring stack.
Migration: Packing migration occurs when a portion of the packing is caught by a rough stem surface and is
removed from the packing ring stack as the stem slides in and out of the packing box. Linear valves experience a
higher degree of migration than rotary valves. High temperature packing is particularly susceptible to migration.
1.) Desire to use just one packing material throughout a plant. The material of choice is normally graphite
ribbon packing because
can be used at all temperatures.
can contain most fluids without corrosion effects.
can be installed in a valve without disassembling the valve.
This packing material has shown itself in factory testing to be the worst packing material available for
durability. Serious migration problems occur. Friction increases by magnitudes of 2-5 times.
This material is subject to extensive consolidation. When over-compressed, the solution is to add more
and over-compress the newly added graphite ribbon.
3.) Corrosion, primarily of the valve stem. Stroking brings ambient moisture down within the packing rings.
Stroking also brings corrosive fluid up into the packing rings. On a molecular basis H2O gets with other
fluids that generate concentrated acid, which can begin corrosion of the valve stem. The corrosion destroys
the stem finish, which in turn destroys the packing from the inside towards the outside. Linear valve
designs are particularly prone to this problem.
4.) Under-tightening, which normally comes with normal in-service wear, and regular/routine maintenance does
not include retightening the packing's force-loading mechanism. Under-tightening will lead to leakage,
which if not corrected immediately, will lead to a complete packing failure rather quickly.
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Packing Design State-of-the-Art
1. Solid Packing Rings Removal of splits in rings leads to lower radial stress loading, lower friction,
and longer life.
2. Formed Rings By reducing the quantity of surface contact between the packing ring material and the
valve stem, sealing and life are improved. This is a case where less is better. PTFE and other plastics
are normally of a V-ring design. Carbon graphite is normally a sloped rectangular ring.
3. Anti-Extrusion Rings Upper and lower anti-extrusion adapter rings minimize packing ring extrusion and
help keep packing ring geometric shape.
4. Stem Finish By improving the quality of the valve stem finish, migration and corrosion are reduced,
providing longer life. Surface finishes of 4-8 RMS are common today.
5. Live-Loading This minimizes under-tightening effects and compensates for normal packing wear on a
continuous basis. However, unless the mechanism design includes some safeguard, live-loaded mech-
anisms can be too easily overtightened.
6. Extension Column An extension column will keep the packing zone separated physically away from the
high or low (cryogenic) temperatures experienced thru a valve body. Such a design will keep the packing
zone nearer to ambient temperature conditions, which allows use of conventional PTFE packing material.
7. Dual Packing Two separate sets of packing with monitoring in-between the sets can provide an extra
measure of protection/security against leakage.
8. Bellows A thin-wall bellows - normally of metal or TFE material - serves as a barrier between the valve's
P2-outlet pressure zone and ambient. The bellows corrugations flex as the stem travels, and thus are
subject to fatigue failure considerations as well as stress corrosion cracking effects. A conventional packing
design normally serves as a secondary backup in case of bellows failure.
9. Stem Guiding Valve stem should be guided at both top and bottom as close to the packing as mechan-
ically practical.
Note: Because of the erratic nature of carbon graphite packing, Cashco recommends the following
Continuous rings; non-split.
Formed rings with upper and lower adapter rings ONLY.
Externally live-loaded packing with over-tightening prevention mechanism.
Superior stem surface finish.
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Jammed Packing
Belleville
Spring Washers
Vacuum Packing
Alternating Positive
Pressure-to-Vacuum Lantern Ring
Service
Positive Pressure Packing
Pressure inside the valve is alternately greater than or less than (i.e. vacuum) ambient pressure.
1/4" NPT
Valve has a 1/4" NPT tapped opening on its bonnet. Complete with removable steel plug for all
body materials. The opening is located between primary and secondary packing sets when the
valve is equipped with dual packing. A leak-off connection may be monitored with a pressure
switch, fluid sensor, purge, or combination of the three.
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Bellows Seal
Extension Columns
Extension Column
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SECTION 12
Seat Leakage
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SEAT DESIGNS
METAL COMPOSITION - SOFT
DUAL
Design includes both a composition-soft seat that gives Class VI shutoff,
and a metal seat that serves as a backup that gives Class IV shutoff.
SUMMARY:
For throttling service, seating surface expectations for long service life must be consid-
ered/evaluated against the applied conditions!
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SEAT LEAKAGE CLASSIFICATIONS
Leakage Class Allowable Leakage Rate Valve Types Remarks
ANSI/FCI 70.2 Air or Water
Class I Classes II, III or IV, but no Valve Types listed below in Quality of mfg. implies
test required by agree- Classes II, III and IV. that these valves do not
ment between user and exceed leakage Classes II,
supplier. III and IV, but no guaran-
tee is stipulated.
Assume for the Class I, II, & IV that the water is the test fluid, and test pres-
sure is at 50 psid pressure drop (P1 = 50 psig, P2 = atmospheric or 0 psig).
3" valve with 3" port, Max Cv = 169.7.
QH2O = Cv x P/SG = 169.7 x 50/1 = 1200 US gpm
*(QAIR = 31.22 SCFH = 0.01% of Max Cv = .01697Cv = 14.7 lit/min 98,000 bub/min)
CLASS I CLASS II
H2O H2O
ATM
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NOTES
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