1.

2 Throttling process for incompressible flow

Pipe flows involving valves for throttling control can be studied using simple one-dimensional flow dynamics theory.
Incompressible flow through an orifice is taken as a basic example for flow velocity and static pressure behaviour in a valve.
Compressible flow can be studied similarly if gas expansion is taken into account.

Bernoulli's equation (4) gives the relation between mean velocity and static pressure. The continuity equation (3), and
Bernoulli's equation (4) are all that is required to understand flow through a throttling device.

where 1 refers to upstream conditions

2 refers to downstream conditions
v = mean velocity
p = static pressure
= density
ph = pressure loss
A = flow area
H = relative height
g = acceleration of gravity

The continuity equation (3) demonstrates the balance between flow area and mean velocity. As the flow area decreases the
mean velocity increases and vice versa. The velocity reaches the highest value at the vena contracta point of an orifice. Vena
contracta is the point where the actual flow area reaches its minimum value. Because of contraction caused by fluid dynamics,
the area of vena contracta is usually smaller than the physical area of the orifice.

Bernoulli's equation (4) demonstrates the balance between dynamic, hydrostatic and static pressure. The hydrostatic pressure (
*g*H) can be assumed constant in the flow through a control valve. As the velocity increases towards the vena contracta point,
the static pressure decreases. After the vena contracta, the fluid velocity decreases and static pressure increases. This
phenomenon is called pressure recovery. Due to the pressure losses caused by flow separation and vortices, the level of static
pressure is decreased across the orifice.