7/14/2017 Flow and pressure drop in valves and fittings.

Valve resistance coefficient and diameter

Flow in valves and fittings

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Resistance coefficient K, valves and fittings Flow and discharge through Venturi, nozzle
head loss and flow velocity | Pipe equivalent and orifice | Discharge coefficient, pressure
length L/D and diameter ratio
Pressure drop or head loss is proportional to the velocity in valves The rate of flow of any fluid Orifice plate sizing calculator
or fittings. For the most engineering practices it can be assumed through an orifice or
that pressure drop or head loss due to flow of fluids in turbulent nozzle, may be calculated Calculate orifice plate diameter,
range through valves and fittings is proportional to square of using following equation: discharge and expansion factor.
velocity. Applicable for liquids and ideal
gases. With orifice plate
To avoid expensive testing of every valves and every fittings that calculator you can calculate flow
are installed on pipeline, the experimental data are used. For that rate for measured pressure drop.
purpose resistance coefficient K, equivalent length L/D and flow Calculation is according to ISO
where is: q - flow rate; Cd - 5167.
coefficient Cv, Kv are used. These values are available from
different sources like tables and diagrams from different authors coefficient of discharge; A -
and from valves manufacturers as well. cross section area; β -
diameter ratio d1/d2; gn - acceleration of gravity; hL - head loss;
Kinetic energy, which is represented as head due to velocity is
generated from static head and increase or decrease in velocity Instead of coefficient of discharge Cd, more convenient is the use
directly is proportional with static head loss or gain. "Velocity of flow coefficient C which is represented by:
head" is:

where is: C - flow coefficient; Cd - coefficient of discharge; β -

where is: hL - head loss; v - velocity; gn - acceleration of gravity; diameter ratio d1/d2;

The number of velocity heads lost due to resistance of valves and Flow rate through nozzles and orifices are than calculated as:
fittings is:

where is: q - flow rate; C - flow coefficient; A - cross section area;

where is: hL - head loss; K - resistance coefficient; v - velocity; gn Δ p - pressure drop; ρ - density; gn - acceleration of gravity; hL -
- acceleration of gravity; head loss;
The head loss due to The values of hL and Δ p are measured differential static head or
resistance in valves and Resistance coefficient K
calculator pressure before and after the nozzle or orifice. Values for
fittings are always
coefficient of discharge or flow coefficient (C or Cd) can be
associated with the
Resistance factor K calculation calculated based on applicable standards like ISO 5167 or similar
diameter on which velocity
for elbows, bends, tees, pipe ASME standards.
occurs. entrance, pipe exit, pipe reducers,
pipe enlargement. Coefficient of discharge for orifice flow can be calculated using
The resistance coefficient
K is considered to be Reader-Harris/Gallagher (1998) equation (ISO 5167):
constant for any defined
valves or fittings in all flow conditions, as the head loss due to
friction is minor compared to the head loss due to change in

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7/14/2017 Flow and pressure drop in valves and fittings. Valve resistance coefficient and diameter
direction of flow, obstructions and sudden or gradual changes in
cross section and shape of flow.

Head loss due to friction in straight pipe is expressed by the

Darcy equation:

where is: hL - head loss; f - friction factor; L - length; D - internal

diameter; v - velocity; gn - acceleration of gravity;

It follows that:
where is: β - diameter ratio d1/d2; ReD - Reynolds number based
on bigger diameter; d1 - internal diameter (smaller); d2 - internal
diameter (larger);

where is: K - resistance coefficient; f - friction factor; L - length; D - L1 and L2 are functions on tap type and it is:
internal diameter;
L1=L2=0 - for corner taps
The ratio L/D is equivalent length in pipe diameters of straight L1=1; L2=0.47 - for D and D/2 taps
pipe that will cause the same pressure drop or head loss as the L1=L2=0.0254/d1 - for d1[m] for 1" taps
valves or fittings under the same flow conditions. As the
resistance coefficient is K is constant the equivalent length L/D Coefficient of discharge for Venturi tubes can be obtained based
will vary inversely with the change in friction factor for different on the type of Venturi tube. There are three types of Venturi tubes
flow conditions. and each type has different range of diameters and Reynolds
number for which coefficient of discharge is defined as follows:
For geometrically similar valves and fittings, the resistance
coefficient would be constant. Actually there are always smaller or Venturi tubes with "as cast"
bigger geometrical non similarity in valves and fittings of different convergent section Venturi tube calculator
nominal size, so the resistance coefficient is not constant. The Cd=0.984; Range for which
resistance coefficient K for a given type of valves or fittings, tends Calculate flow rate through
coefficient of discharge is Venturi tube based on the created
to vary with size as does friction factor for straight clean
defined: pressure drop by Venturi effect.
commercial steel pipe at the same flow conditions.
100 mm < D < 800 mm Calculate velocities on inlet and
Some resistances in piping like sudden or gradual contractions 0.3 < β < 0.75 throat of Venturi tube. Calculate
and enlargements, as well as pipe entrances or exists are 2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6 Venturi effect on pressure and
geometrically similar. Therefore the resistance coefficient or velocity in Venturi tube.
equivalent length L/D is for these items independent of size. Venturi tubes with a Applicable for liquids and ideal
machined convergent gases.
The values for resistance coefficient or equivalent length L/D are section Cd=0.995; Range
always associated with internal pipe diameter where the for which coefficient of
resistance is occurring. discharge is defined:
50 mm < D < 250 mm
If the resistance coefficient or equivalent length L/D should be 0.4 < β < 0.75
used for different internal pipe diameter than the diameter for 2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6
which existing values can be found following relationship can be
used: Venturi tubes with a rough-welded sheet-iron convergent section
Cd=0.985; Range for which coefficient of discharge is defined:
200 mm < D < 1200 mm
0.4 < β < 0.7
2x10e5 < ReD < 2x10e6
where is: K - resistance coefficient; D - internal diameter;
Coefficient of dischage for
nozzles is calculated based Nozzle flow calculator
where subscript "a" defines K and d with the reference to internal
pipe diameter, and subscript "b" defines K and d with the on the type of nozzle in
question. For nozzles Calculate flow rate through
reference to the internal diameter for which values of K can be Nozzle based on the created
found in tables or diagrams. according to ISA 1932
pressure drop by Venturi effect.
coefficient of discharge can Calculate velocities on inlet and
This equation can also be used if the piping system has more be calculated using throat of Nozzle. For liquids and
than one size of valves and fittings to express the resistance following formula: ideal gases.
coefficient or equivalent length L/D in terms of one size.

Resistance coefficient K for internal diameter

sudden and gradual contraction and
enlargement Coefficient of disharge for long radius nozzles is calculated using:

Using momentum, continuity and Bernoulli equation the

resistance due to sudden enlargements may be expressed as:

and for Venturi type nozzles:

and the resistance factor due to sudden contraction as:

where is:

β - diameter ratio d1/d2; ReD - Reynolds number based on bigger

diameter;

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7/14/2017 Flow and pressure drop in valves and fittings. Valve resistance coefficient and diameter
where is: K1 - resistance coefficient; d1 - internal diameter
(smaller); d2 - internal diameter (larger);
Using β as diameter ratio, both equation can be expressed as:
where is: K1 - resistance coefficient; β - diameter ratio d1/d2;
In order to express the resistance coefficient in terms of larger
pipe diameter, following relation should be used:
where is: K1 - resistance coefficient based on smaller internal
diameter; K2 - resistance coefficient based on larger internal
diameter; β - diameter ratio d1/d2;
If the enlargement is not sudden but gradual, or if angle of gradual
enlargement is different from 180O, Gibson coefficient Ce can be
used for different angle of divergence as follows:
In other words, if angle of divergence is bigger than 45O, the
resistance coefficient is equal to one for sudden enlargement.
For gradual contraction the resistance coefficient on the same
basis based on Crane test data, contraction coefficient Cc can be
used for different angles of convergence, as follows:
Using above expressions for enlargement and contraction
coefficient, resistance coefficient can be calculated as:
For gradual enlargement:
where is: Ce - coefficient of enlargement; K1 - resistance
coefficient based on smaller internal diameter; β - diameter ratio
d1/d2; θ - enlargement angle;
For gradual contraction:
where is:
Cc - coefficient of contraction; K1 - resistance coefficient based on
smaller internal diameter; β - diameter ratio d1/d2; θ - enlargement
angle;
For resistance coefficient based on the large pipe diameter
expression:
should be used, with above equations.
where is: K1 - resistance coefficient based on smaller internal
diameter; K2 - resistance coefficient based on larger internal
diameter; β - diameter ratio d1/d2;
Equations for gradual enlargement and contraction can be used
for resistance coefficient calculation for reduced bore straight-
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For the flow of compressible fluids through nozzles and orifices,
the same equation can be used, but the net expansion factor Y
must be included. The flow can be calculated as follows:
where is: Y - expansion factor; C - flow coefficient; A - cross
section area; Δ p - pressure drop; ρ - density;
The expansion factor Y depends on the specific heat ratio χ , the
diameter ratio β and the ratio of downstream and upstream
absolute pressures.
Expansion factor Y for Venturi tubes and nozzles can be
calculated as follows (ISO 5167):
This equation is applicable for the same range of diameter and
Reynolds number as for coefficient of discharge Cd indicated
above. Formula is applicable only for pressure ratio p2/p1 > 0.75.
For compressible flow through orifices expansion factor is (ISO
5167):
where is: Y - expansion factor; χ - specific heat ratio; β - diameter
ratio d1/d2; p1 - inlet pressure; p2 - pressure in Venturi throat or
after the orifice or nozzle;
This equation can be used for gas flow though the orifice and
discharging to the atmosphere. For that purpose the pressure
difference equals to the upstream gauge pressure. This applies
only if absolute atmospheric pressure divided by absolute
upstream pressure is bigger than critical pressure ratio for sonic
flow conditions.
When the smoothly convergent nozzle is used compressible fluid
can reach the speed of sound at minimum cross section or throat,
if upstream pressure is high enough.
When the velocity of compressible fluid reaches the speed of
sound, maximum flow has been reached, and increase of
upstream pressure or decrease of downstream pressure will not
increase the flow any more.
For short tubes where relation L/D is not bigger than 2.5 the flow
of discharge to the atmosphere can be calculated using above
equations, with flow coefficient C somewhere between the values
for orifice and nozzle.
If the entrance to the short tube is well rounded then the flow
coefficient C for nozzles can be used and if the pipe entrance is
square shaped and sharp then flow coefficient C for orifice is
more appropriate.
Flow discharge through valves, fittings and
pipe, resistance coefficient K
For discharge of liquids through valves, fittings and pipes Darcy
formula can be expressed as:
where is:
q - discharge flow rate [l/min]; d - internal pipe diameter [mm]; hL -
head loss [m]; K - resistance coefficient [ - ];
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7/14/2017 Flow and pressure drop in valves and fittings. Valve resistance coefficient and diameter
through valves like ball valves and gate valves. The total This equation can be used for discharge calculation from pipes,
resistance coefficient for this type of ball and gate valves is the fittings and valves when resistance coefficient K, static head
summation of resistance coefficient for gradual contraction and difference hL and internal pipe diameter d is known. The
gradual enlargement. resistance coefficient is the sum of all resistances in the piping
system.
You can calculate resistance coefficient using resistance
coefficient K and equivalent length l/d calculator. For discharge of
compressible flow of fluid Gas discharge calculator
Flow coefficient Cv, pressure drop, control from a pipe to a larger area
Calculate gas flow rate when
or larger cross section like
valve flow rate discharging from pipe or
in the case of discharge to
reservoir. Calculation of gas
the atmosphere, a modified
outflow through pipe, valve or
Selecting the correct valve Flow coefficient Cv calculator Darcy formula can be used: orifice in reservoir. Chocked flow
size for a given application condition check included.
requires knowledge of Calculate flow coefficient Cv or
process conditions that the Kv for known flow capacity and
valve will actually see in pressure difference. Calculate
maximum flow capacity of control
service. In the industry of
valve for known flow coefficient
control valves it is practice
Cv or Kv and pressure difference.
to use flow coefficient and
Calculate pressure difference for where is:
flow characteristics. known flow coefficient Cv or Kv
and flow capacity. w - discharge mass flow rate [kg/s]; Y - expansion factor [ - ]; d -
In the UK and in the USA
internal pipe diameter [mm]; Δ p - pressure drop [Pa]; ρ - density
coefficient Cv is used and it
is defined as flow rate of [kg/m3]; K - resistance coefficient [ - ];
water in gpm at 60OF that creates pressure drop of 1 psi across
the valve. Basic equation for valve sizing for liquid service is: Gas pressure regulator capacity - flow
coefficient Cg, Kg | Critical flow rate
For gas pressure regulators that are operating in the range of inlet
pressure up to 100 bar following equations for sub-critical and
where is: Cv - flow coefficient [gpm]; q - flow rate [gpm]; Δ p - critical flow behavior are used (EN 334):
pressure drop [psi]; S - specific gravity (relative density) [ - ];
Sub-critical flow:
To aid in establishing uniform measurement of liquid flow
coefficients Cv, standardized testing facility by Fluid Control
Institute (FCI) are used by manufacturers. The effect of viscosity
of fluids other than water should be considered when selecting
the valve, as increased viscosity of fluid is reducing the valve
capacity. Critical flow:

Another coefficient Kv is used in some countries, particularly in

Gas control valve sizing
Europe and is defined as flow rate of water in m3/h that creates calculator
pressure drop of 1kg/cm2 across the valve (1 kg/cm2 is equal to
0.980665 bar). where is: Calculate flow coefficient Cg or
Kg or maximum capacity of
Control valve sizing is based on the calculation of flow coefficient Q - gas flow rate [m3/h]; S - control valve for known upstream
for given pressure drop and flow rate. Liquid flow capacity of a gas relative density (for and downstream pressure.
valve in metric units can be converted to Cv as: air=1) [ - ]; tu - gas Calculate pressure drop that
upstream temperature control valve is creating for
known flow rate and flow
[OC]; Cg - gas flow coefficient Cg or Kg.
coefficient [ - ]; pu - gas
upstream pressure [bar]; pd
where is: Cv - flow coefficient [gpm]; qm - flow rate [l/m]; ρ - - gas downstream pressure [bar]; pb - ambient atmospheric
density [kg/m3]; Δ p - pressure drop [bar]; pressure [bar]; K1 - valve body shape factor [ - ];

Also, liquid flow capacity of a valve can be converted to Kv as: Simplified calculation can be used if K1 < 130 and (pu-pd) > 0,1
(pu+pb):

Sub-critical flow rate where (pu-pd) < 0,5 (pu+pb):

where is: Kv - flow characteristic [m3/h]; qh - flow rate [m3/h]; S -

specific gravity (relative density) [ - ]; Δ p - pressure drop [bar];

Sub-critical flow rate where (pu-pd) > 0,5 (pu+pb):

Flashing and cavitation, vapor pressure at
valve vena contracta
Flashing or cavitation inside a valve can have a significant
influence on valve capacity. Flashing and cavitation can reduce Above equation can be expressed with flow coefficient Kg
the flow through valve in many liquid services. Also, damage can included as:
be made to the valve as well as to the piping system. The effect is
represented by the change from liquid to vapor state of fluid,
resulting in the velocity increase downstream from the valve.

As liquid passes through the restriction area inside the valve flow
stream is contracted. The smallest cross section area of stream is With above equations when flow coefficient Cg or Kg from gas
just downstream of the actual physical restriction at a point called pressure regulator manufacturer is known, regulator capacity can

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7/14/2017 Flow and pressure drop in valves and fittings. Valve resistance coefficient and diameter
vena contracta. At that point the velocity is at its maximum and be calculated for given pressures upstream and downstream from
pressure at the minimum. gas regulator.

As the fluid exits the valve, away from vena contracta, velocity
decrease and pressure increase, so the critical point for flashing
and cavitation is at the point where the pressure is smallest which
is in vena contracta. If pressure at vena contracta drops bellows
the vapor pressure of the fluid, due to increased velocity at this
point, bubbles will form in the flow stream.
It can be concluded that if pressure of gas before and after the
regulator are higher, capacity of regulator will also be higher for
the same type and dimension of regulator.
When flow rate through regulator is critical, pressure downstream
of the regulator doesn't influence the regulator capacity.

If pressure downstream of the vena contracta increase above the
vapor pressure, bubbles will collapse or implode producing
cavitation. Cavitation releases energy and produces a noise. If
cavitation occurs close to solid surfaces, the energy released
gradually wears the material leaving the rough surface. Cavitation
can also damage the downstream pipeline, if at that place the
pressure rises above the vapor pressure and bubbles collapse.
Chocked flow valve pressure drop and
cavitation in high pressure recovery valve
Formation of bubbles in the valve resulting of flashing and
cavitation effect reduces the flow rate through valve and limits the
capacity. This is called chocked flow. Limiting pressure drop in
valve is determined by experiment for each valve. Limiting
pressure drop for chocked flow in valve can also be calculated
using:
It is important also to notice that for different type of gases that
have different value of density, capacity of regulator will also
change, and for gases with higher densities, flow rate will be
smaller and volume capacity will drop.
All equations are for regulators with fully opened control element,
as flow coefficient are measured for fully opened regulator.
Capacities for different positions of control element in regulator
are calculated related to the curve of appropriate regulator.
Natural gas control valve flow rate for
pressure ratio at normal conditions
For control valves in natural gas industry it is common to use KG
which is defined for under critical pressure ratio (pa/pe > 0.54) as:

For overcritical pressure ratio (pa/pe < 0.54):

where is: Δ pallow - maximum allowable pressure drop for chocked
flow[psi]; Km - valve recovery coefficient from manufacturer
literature [ - ]; p1 - valve inlet absolute pressure [psia]; pv - vapor
absolute pressure of the liquid at inlet temperature [psia]; rc -
critical pressure ratio 0,70 - 0,95; where is:

In high recovery valve, cavitation can occur on pressure drop
below that produces chocked flow. Therefore cavitation index is
used to determine the chocked flow pressure drop at which
cavitation damage will begin in high recovery valve:
KG - flow coefficient [m3/h] qn - flow rate at normal conditions (p =
101325 Pa, T = 273,15 K) [m3/h] pa - pressure after the control
valve [bar] pe - pressure in front of the control valve [bar]
For other gases, correction factor should be used as:

where is: Kc - cavitation index from manufacturer literature [ - ]; p1

- valve inlet absolute pressure [psia]; pv - vapor absolute pressure where is correction factor:
of the liquid at inlet temperature [psia]; pc - pressure drop that
creates cavitation in high recovery valves [psi];

This equation can be used anytime outlet pressure is greater than

the vapor pressure of the liquid.
where is:

qn NATURAL GAS - flow rate at normal conditions of natural gas

[m3/h] qn GAS - flow rate at normal conditions of other gas [m3/h] f
- correction factor [ - ]

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