FIC

FCV

FE

PCV

PIC

Suction Isolation
Valve

PG

PT

Discharge Isolation
Valve

Notes:
1. Use pressure control for minimum flow control. It is a very effective and economic way of minimum flow control if the cost benefit analysis favors a control valve for the minimum
safe flow line.
2. Provide the set-point for the PIC loop corresponding to the head for the minimum safe continuous flow as per the pump curve.
3. In normal operation when the pump is required to deliver full flow based on set-point of FIC there is no flow in minimum flow line.
4. If the forward flow decreases by decreasing the set-point on FIC, the back-pressure in the discharge line will increase.
5. This will cause an upward deviation from the fixed set-point provided for the PIC loop.
6. To match the pressure set-point the pressure control valve on the minimum flow line will start opening.
7. The PCV will modulate to maintain a constant pressure in the discharge line as per the PIC set-point.
8. The recirculation line and PCV should be sized for the minimum safe continuous flow as provided by the pump vendor.
9. The control valve scheme is beneficial if the pump flow is large since it can provide significant benefits in terms of OPEX savings by reducing pumping costs for the minimum safe
flow.

Prepared By:
Ankur Srivastava
Chemical Engineer
e-mail: ankur_2061@hotmail.com