Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. is located in Mountain View, California. It was formed in October
of 1990 to develop, patent, and market Fluid Flow Conditioning Devices & Solutions.
Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. holds the patents for the Cheng Rotation Vane (CRV®) and Large
Angle Diffuser (LAD®). Due to their unique and fundamental nature, the CRV® and LAD®
have a significant market and a wide range of applications, from fuel systems in aircraft
and automobiles to large industrial and utility complexes, such as chemical processing,
power plants and water distribution utilities.

Founder/CEO:
The value and effectiveness of the company's products have been proven in over 3,000
Dr. Dah Yu Cheng, has over 30
installations with over 1500 being used by Fortune 500 chemical, refining, and power years of experience & recognition
as a rocket scientist, inventor,
companies.
plasma physicist, & aerodynamicist

 Piping systems are the heart of any utility or process. Efficiency in these systems has Products:
payback and allows total output Flow Conditioning Technology:
 Any fluid that flows through elbows and sudden expansions will experience: CRV® Cheng Rotation Vane
LAD® Large Angle Diffuser
 Turbulence Accelerated Flow Separation
 Reverse Flow Pressure Loss Cavitation Market:
 Flashing Noise Vibration Solved over 3,000 cases of Piping &
Flow Problems for many Leading
 The CRV® imparts to the fluid (gas or liquid) a gyroscopic motion, which counteracts the Fortune 500 Companies.
elbow induced gyroscopic motion, & enables the fluid to negotiate the turn through the
Industries:
elbow in a flat uniform flow across the entire cross sectional area of the pipe
Refineries Power
 This results in an even distribution of process fluid through any cross-section of the Pump Oil
elbow and transforms the elbow into the equivalent of a straight length of pipe, and Nuclear Automotive
Mining Water Processing
there is no additional pressure drop with the use of a CRV®
Gas Utility Complexes
 The LAD® consists of a series of overlapping, truncated cones, all with a common focal
point, which is located within the expansion and allows a uniform exit profile
CFS is dedicated to solving
our customer's fluid flow
problems by using our
technology and experience,
LAD® along with our patented
products, the Cheng
Rotation Vane (CRV®) and
Large Angle Diffuser (LAD®)

 A CRV® & LAD® installed close to: pumps, compressors, check valves, control valves, flow
measurement equipment, elbow erosion/noise, water hammer, condensers, exhaust
section, chemical processing, and heat exchangers, will have better performance results,
reliability/efficiency of any downstream equipment and will improve maintenance down
times & energy costs will be reduced

Cheng
Cheng
FluidFluid
Systems,
Systems,
Inc.Inc.
480 480
SanSan
Antonio
Antonio
Road,
Road,
SuiteSuite
120.120.
Mountain
Mountain
View,
View,
CA 94040.
CA 94040.
650-941-9290,
650-941-9290,
www.chengfluid.com
www.chengfluid.com
CHENG FLUID SYSTEMS, INC.
A.C. ROCHESTER/GENERAL MOTORS
A.W. CHESTERTON CO.
ABBOTT LABS
AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS
ALLIED SIGNAL
AM PIPE FAB
AMERICAN BECHTEL
AMOCO CHEMICAL COMPANY
AMOCO OIL COMPANY
AMPOL
AMVAC CHEMICAL CORPORATE
ARAMCO SERVICES CO.
ARCO
ARCO CHEMICAL CO.
AREVA
ARGO INDUSTRIAL
ARGO INTERNATIONAL
ATLANTIC CITY ELECTRIC
AUSTRALIA NUCLEAR SAFETY ORG
BAYER/FLOUR DANIELS
BAYWAY REFINING COMPANY
BEAR ISLAND PAPER CO.
BECHTEL CORPORATION
BECHTEL POWER CORPORATION
BELL HELICOPTER
BETHLEHEM STEEL CORPORATION
BETTIS NUCLEAR LAB
BEXAR EQUIPMENT CO.
BHP BILLITON
BOEING
BOISE CASCADE
BORDEN CHEMICAL
BRITISH PETROLEUM OIL COMPANY
C HUDSON GAS & ELECTRIC
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY
CARGILL, INC.
CASTLETON BEVERAGE
CELANESE CHEMICALS
CENTERLINE MECHANICAL
CENTRADE INT'L (EXXONMOBIL)
CENTRALE NUCLEAIRE DE DOEL
CHEVRON
CHEVRON TEXACO
CHURCH & DWIGHT CO., INC.
CINCINNATI GAS & ELECTRIC
CISCO MARTINUS
CITGO PETROLEUM CORP.
CITGO REFINING
CITY OF HOUSTON
CLIMAX MANUFACTURING
CLYDE PETROLEUM EXPLORATION
COASTAL REFINING
COMED POWERTON
CONNECTICUT RESOURCE RECOVERY
CONOCO PHILLIPS
CONSOLIDATED EDISON OF NY
CRANE COMPANY
CRAWFORD FITTING CO.
CRYSEN REFINERY
DAISHOWA AMERICAN
DAKATO GASIFICATION
DIASONICS, INC.
DIAVIK DIAMOND MINES
Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.
DOW CHEMICAL
DOW CORNING
DUPONT
DURIRON COMPANY
DYNO NOBEL, INC.
E.I. DUPONT
EASTMAN CHEMICAL
ELF ATOCHEM
ELI LILLY & COMPANY
ELKEN TECHNOLOGY, INC.
ENCOR-AMERICA
ENGELHARD INC.
ENTERPRISE PRODUCTS CO.
ENVIRONMENTAL & ENERGY
EQUILON ENTERPRISES
EQUISTAR CHEMICALS
EXXONMOBIL
FARMER'S MARINE COPPER
FERN ENGINEERING
FINA
FINCH, PRYUN & CO., INC.
FLEXENERGY, LLC
FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT
FLOUR DANIEL
FLOWMATICS / BRUCKNER
FLOWSERVE PUMP DIV.
FOLSOM (BARRICK GOLDSTRIKE)
FRAN RICA REFINING
FRANK D. RIGGIO CO., INC.
FREBCO
FRENCH AVIAN
FRENCH EMBASSAY NAVAL
GAS LIQUIDS ENGINEERING LTD.
GATEWAY PUMP & MIXER
GE - HOUSTON
GE - S&S ENERGY
GE ENERGY PRODUCTS
GENEVA STEEL
GLOBAL OCTANES
GOLD BOND BUILDING
GOULDS PUMPS, INC.
GREAT LAKES FABRICATING
HALLEY + MELLOWES GROUP
HARCO EQUIP (PARSONS EXXON)
HEMCOR AUSTRALIA
HENKEL CORPORATION
HERCULES, INC.
HIMIC CO.
HOECHST CELANESE
HOFFMAN - LA ROCHE
HYDRO GROUP INC.
I.P. AETNA
ICI ACRYLICS
IMPERIAL OIL
INTERSTATE PUMP & MACHINE
IRECO INC.
JAKE HARRIS & SONS INC.
JAMES RIVER CORPORATION
JOSEPH JINGOLI & SON
KANSAS CITY POWER & LIGHT
KETCHIKAN PULP
KEYSTONE SALES, INC.
KIRK & BLUM
CRV® AND LAD® PARTIAL CUSTOMER LIST
KIRKWOOD
KLAUS UNION, INC.
KOCH REFINING CO.
KRUEGER ENGINEERING
KUBOTA CORP.
KVAENER PROCESS
LA DEPT. OF WATER & POWER
LA ROCHE CHEMICAL
LAKE UTOPIA PAPER
LAUREN CONSTRUCTORS
LAWRENCE ENERGY
LEM CONSTRUCTION
LG&E POWER
LILLY ENGINEERING
LONG ISLAND LIGHTING
LYONDELL - CITGO PETROLEUM
MACMILLAN BLOEDEL
MADISON GAS & ELECTRIC
MAP ROBINSON
MARATHON PETRO
MASONITE
MERCK & CO.
MERICHEM COMPANY
MILES, INC.
MISSOURI MACHINERY
MOLLERUS ENG.
MONROE CTY WATER AUTH.
MORTON MACHINE WORKS
NASA ASRC AEROSPACE
NATL. CHENG KUNG UNIVERSITY
NAVAJO REFINING CO.
NEVADA POWER
NEXEN INC.
NINE MILE POINT NUCLEAR
NOVUS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NY STATE ELECTRIC & GAS
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL
ONYXENG
ORICA
ORMAT
OXY VINYLS
PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC
PENNSYLVANIA POWER & LIGHT
PEPSCO
PETROLEUM EQUIPMENT SALES
PFIZER, INC.
PG&E
PROCESS EQUIPMENT
PURITAN BENNETT
RALPH M. PARSONS CO.
RANDLE MILLER
REFINED SUGARS, INC.
REGIONAL WASTE SYSTEMS
REPUBLIC SUPPLY CO.
RF MACDONALD
ROCHESTER DISTRICT HEATING
ROHM & HAAS
SABIC
SALADIN PUMP
SALATY SYNERGY
SANTOS
SHELL ALBIAN SANDS
SHELL CANADA
SHELL CHEMICAL
SHELL OIL COMPANY
SHUPE & ASSOCIATES
SOUTH AM CORP.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EDISON
SOUTHWEST INDUSTRIAL CONCEPTS
SPS TECHNOLOGIES
STANISLAUS FOOD PRODUCTS
STAR ENTERPRISE
STEPAN CO.
STEWART & STEVENSON
SUITT CONSTRUCTION
SUNCOR ENERGY INC.
SUNOCO
SYNCRUDE CANADA
TENNESSEE EASTMAN
TEXAS PETROCHEMICALS
THE GEON CO.
THOMAS PUMP
TIGERFLOW
TOSCO PETRO
TRIFLOW SPECIALTIES
TU ELECTRICAL
UNCLE BEN'S OF AUSTRALIA
UNION ELECTRIC
UNITED TECH. RESEARCH CTR.
UNITIED REFINING COMPANY
VIRGINIA FIBRE
WELLMAN
WESCO MOBIL
WESTBURNE INDUSTRIAL
WESTCOAST ENERGY
WESTINGHOUSE COMPANY
WHITTAKER CONTROLS
WILLAMETTE INDUSTRIES, INC.
WITCO/ENENCO
WOODWARD GOVERNOR CO.
YEARY & ASSOCIATES
YORK INTERNATIONAL
INDUSTRIES OF APPLICATION
AUTOMOTIVE
CHEMICAL
CONDENSERS
FOOD PROCESSING
HEAT EXCHANGERS
IRRIGATION
MINING
NAVAL VESSELS
NUCLEAR
OIL & GAS
PAPER & PULP
POWER
REACTOR VESSELS
REFINERIES
TURBOMACHINERY
UTILITY COMPLEXES
WATER PROCESSING
www.chengfluid.com
 CRV® Operating Principle
The Cheng Rotation Vane (CRV®) consists of a set of stationary vanes in a cylindrical body, which is placed immediately
upstream of an elbow or tee in a piping system. The device addresses the following flow problems:
A. Pump Cavitation
B. Flow Measurement Accuracy
C. Elbow Erosion
D. Compressors
E. Check Valves
F. Water Hammer

The CRV® eliminates elbow induced turbulence which negatively impacts the performance of pumps, compressors, control
valves, flow meters, and other equipment. The CRV® inputs to the flow a counteracting gyroscopic motion to the resultant
elbow induced gyroscopic motion, and enable the fluid to negotiate the turn through the elbow and then exit the elbow with
a flat velocity profile. This results in an even distribution of process fluid through any cross-section of the elbow and
transforms the elbow into the equivalent of a straight length of pipe, and there is no additional pressure drop with the use of
a CRV®.

Figure 1- In a plain elbow

(left), a skewed velocity
profile results. With a CRV®
mounted in front of the
elbow (right), there is a flat
velocity profile.

Flow through a plain elbow is illustrated in the Figure 1 (a-left). As a result of the forces acting on the fluid as it passes
through the elbow, two flow separation regions result where a void or vapor space is created. Because of the existence of
these flow separation regions, the remaining pipe cross-sectional area through which the fluid must pass is significantly
reduced, as shown in Figure 1 (b-left), and the local velocity is increased and directed towards the outer wall of the elbow.
This high velocity region is one of the reasons why elbows exhibit high-pressure drop as compared to a straight pipe.

Measured velocity profiles of the fluid downstream of a plain elbow at six locations are shown in Figure 1(c-left). As expected
for a plain elbow, Figure 1 (c-left) shows that there is a high velocity region in the straight section of pipe along the outside of
the elbow, and a low velocity/backflow region in the straight section of pipe along the inside of the elbow.

When the CRV® is placed immediately upstream of an elbow, it rotates the flow entering the elbow. As a consequence, the
fluid negotiates the turn with all the streamlines travelling approximately the same distance (equal flow path lengths) from

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

entrance to exit, as illustrated in Figure 1(a-right), and the flow separation regions are eliminated. The entire pipe cross-
sectional area is available for fluid flow as shown in Figure 1(b-right). For this reason, the total drop in pressure in a CRV®–
plus-elbow-combination is 25% to 50% less than that of a plain elbow without a CRV®. In Figure 1(c-right), the measured
velocity profile with a CRV® becomes relatively flat at the elbow exit and almost perfectly flat at a downstream position of
L/D=1.25.

Figure 2- When water flows

through an elbow (a), flow
becomes turbulent. With a
CRV® upstream of the elbow,
the fluid negotiates the turn
(b) with all streamlines
travelling equal flow paths.

Flow separation and the rotational effect of the CRV® are also shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b) where the use of different
colored dyes trace the flow streamlines in a transparent 6-inch diameter short radius elbow carting water. In Figure 2(a), the
dyes follow the elbow streamlines and the inner and outer flow separation regions can be seen along with exit turbulence. In
Figure 2(b) where the dyes are injected at the end of the CRV® (beginning of the elbow), the dye streamlines rotate 180-
degrees, as does the fluid itself, producing equal fluid flow path lengths around the elbow exit. The blade angle of a CRV® is
uniquely designed to match each elbow’s geometry and flow path length.

Figure 3- Computational fluid

dynamics modeling illustrates
elbow fluid dynamics without
(left) and with a CRV®(right)

Using computational fluid dynamics modeling, one can reproduce, in Figure 3, the laboratory-measured velocity profiles of
Figure 1(c). The plain elbow velocity profile is shown in Figure 3(a)-left and illustrates the high velocity along the outer wall of
the elbow and the low/backflow velocity along the inner wall of the elbow. Figure 3(b)-left shows the velocity profile of the
cross -sectional area at the end of the simulation. Figure 3(a)-right and 3(b)-right show the same simulation with a CRV®
directly in the front of the elbow. Note the dramatic flattening of the velocity profile and the resultant elimination of flow
separation/backflow regions.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 CRV® Applications & Solutions
Did You Know That...
 95% of All Pumps Cavitate to a Certain Degree.
 95% of all Industrial Explosions, Fires, Leaks, Etc. are caused by Eroding Pipe Elbows, Leaking Pumps, &
Control Valves.
 95% of All of These Problems could be prevented by Using Cheng Fluid System's Experience, Technology,
& Patented Products.

Cheng Fluid Systems has solved over 3,000 Cases of Piping and Flow Problems for the Leading Fortune 500
Companies in the Chemical, Industrial, & Power Industries.

In piping and flow systems, when fluids move through pipe fittings such as elbows, tees, U-joints, manifolds, and
sudden expansions the fluid becomes turbulent, causing noise, vibration, cavitation, separation, and accelerated
and reverse flows. If these pipe fittings are used next to pumps, flow meters, compressors, control valves, and
process equipment, the equipment will experience failures with unscheduled downtimes, lost or reduced
production, excessive repair costs, loss of flow, head, and efficiency, safety concerns, environmental spills, clean-
up costs, inaccurate measurements, erratic control, non-uniform flow, increased energy costs, and the need for
more space for proper installation.

These problems are not the fault of the equipment, but are caused by your processing pipe and fittings.

If you are experiencing these fluid flow problems, then you need the help of Cheng Fluid Systems’ experience,
knowledge and technology to solve them.

The following pages address the CRV® flow conditioning solution of various applications/problems:

•Pump flanged right up to an elbow

In a major power plant a pump cavitated and had to be repaired every three months.
A CRV® was placed in the line and the pump has not been repaired for three years.

•Elbow erosion
In a major refinery the blow down catalyst eroded through an elbow once a month.
A CRV® was placed in the line and the elbow has not been replaced since (4 years).

•Measurement Application
In a major natural gas transmission pipeline an orifice meter required 30 pipe diameters of pipe length for
accurate measurement.
A CRV® was placed in the line and the pipe length requirement was reduced to three diameters.

•Control valve applications

A major gas turbine manufacturer was losing efficiency.
A CRV® was installed before the control valves and the efficiency increased.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 Pumps
Problem:
-Pump Cavitation, Flow Separation, Vibration, Noise
-Frequent seal bearing or impeller replacement
-Non-uniform suction flow creating reduced flow
-Lack of space for proper pump installation
Since all centrifugal pumps require well-developed
inlet flow to meet their potential, a pump may not
perform or be as reliable as expected due to a faulty
suction piping layout such as a close-coupled elbow
on the inlet flange.
When poorly developed flow enters the pump
impeller, it strikes the vanes and is unable to follow
the impeller passage. The liquid then separates from
the vanes causing mechanical problems due to
cavitation, vibration and performance problems due
to turbulence and poor filling of the impeller. This
results in premature seal, bearing and impeller
failure, high maintenance costs, high power
consumption, and less-than-specified head and/or
flow.
In many instances, pump purchasers buy the least
expensive pump that will deliver the specified flow
and head within the NPSH available. Such a pump
with high suction specific speed operating at 3,600
rpm or greater requires a well developed, uniform
flow pattern at a narrow flow rate range since the
impeller inlet eye and vanes are optimized to not
create turbulence at design flow. This pump design
feature is very susceptible to non-uniform inlet flow
because when liquid velocity varies and does not
meet the pump design assumption of a uniform
velocity striking the impeller eye, flow separation
results which causes cavitation and associated
problems.
To have a well-developed flow pattern, pump
manufacturer's manuals recommend about 10
diameters of straight pipe run upstream of the pump
inlet flange. Unfortunately, piping designers and plant
personnel must contend with space and equipment
layout constraints and usually cannot comply with
this recommendation. Instead, it is common to use an
elbow close-coupled to the pump suction which
creates a poorly developed flow pattern at the pump
suction.
Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.
Benefits:
-Reduced maintenance intervals & less downtime
-Reduced cavitation, vibration & noise
-Improved net positive suction head (NPSH)
-Safer work environment
- Higher reliability with less energy consumption
-Increased pump efficiency and head
Solution: The CRV®
With a double-suction pump tied to a close-coupled elbow,
flow distribution to the impeller is poor and causes reliability
and performance shortfalls. The elbow divides the flow
unevenly with more channeled to the outside of the elbow.
Consequently, one side of the double-suction impeller
receives more flow at a higher velocity and pressure while
the starved side receives a highly turbulent and potentially
damaging flow. This degrades overall pump performance
(delivered head, flow and power consumption) and causes
axial imbalance which shortens seal, bearing and impeller
life.
By imparting a swirl to the flow entering the elbow, the CRV®
enables the liquid to negotiate the turn and be evenly
distributed to each side of the impeller. With the CRV®, flow
and characteristics will approach factory rated pump test
performance, cavitation and noise will diminish seal, bearing,
and impeller life will improve.
The CRV® compensates for specification and installation
constraints and attacks the root cause of poor pump
performance due to faulty suction piping layout. With CRV®
installation, pump performance and reliability will be
maintained despite close-couple elbows on pump suctions,
even when applied in high suction specific speed and double
suction pumps.
www.chengfluid.com
 Compressors
Problem:
-Interstage hunting from non-uniform flow
-Inlet flow distortion causing less than factory rated
flow, head and efficiency
Centrifugal and axial compressor operation and
performance are sensitive to velocity and mass
distribution at the suction, just as pumps and other
rotating equipment. When a compressor's factory
performance test is run, the ASME Power Test Code
(PTC-10) requires a fully developed uniform velocity
and mass flow profile entering the compressor. To
accomplish this, PTC-10 states two requirements.
First, a minimum straight run of three pipes diameters
is required between the last elbow and compressor
inlet.
Second, a flow equalizer is required at the straight
pipe inlet to produce a flat velocity profile and assure
an even distribution of gas into the compressor inlet.
Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.
Benefits:
-Operate closer to factory rated flow, head & efficiency
-Reduced suction piping pressure drop and reduced energy
costs
Solution: The CRV®
In field operations, however, compressors do not have this
ideal suction piping configuration. Poor field suction piping
includes single, double, and triple elbows immediately
upstream of of the compressor, which create a considerable
amount of distortion. For example, large multistage axial or
centrifugal compressors that are used to supply air for
refinery fluid catalytic cracking units, as shown above, have
upstream turns in the air suction piping which results in non-
uniform mass and flow profiles approaching the splitter in
the compressor casing.
The CRV® when placed on the inlet side of an elbow
produces a flat velocity profile and an even distribution of
process gas at the elbow’s exit. This allows the compressor to
more closely approach its factory test inlet conditions and
performance curves. Typical CRV® locations in compressor
feed piping systems are shown below and for multistage
externally-cooled compressors below.
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 Flow Meter
Problem: Benefits:
-Inaccurate flow measurements -Accurate flow measurements
-Long straight pipe meter runs required -More compact pipe layout
-Lack of space for proper installation -Reduced piping costs

Flow metering devices cannot provide accurate

measurement of the flow rate through a pipe when
flow entering the measurement device is distorted.
Consequently, flow meter manufactures and a
number of independent organizations such as ASME,
AGA and ANSI/API recommend that flow meters not
be installed near and downstream of elbows.
Solution: The CRV®
With the CRV® one can reduce the straight pipe run length
for an orifice plate flow meter preceded by elbows as seen
below.

For example, when an orifice meter with a Beta ratio
of 0.7 is used and the flow meter is preceded by two
elbows in one plane, example A shows that the
American Gas Association (AGA) recommends a
minimum of 19 pipe diameters of straight pipe be
used between the last elbow and the flow meter.
Conventional after-elbow-straightening vanes
example B, only decrease the recommended straight
pipe length between the last elbow and the flow
meter to 12 pipe diameters. However, the use of
CRV® upstream of the elbow in example C, decreases
the recommended straight pipe length between the
last elbow and the flow meter to 2 diameters.
In places where less than the recommended straight pipe
meter run exists, installation of a CRV® will result in more
accurate measurements. For example, dramatic
improvements were witnessed in a 10”-diameter flow meter
application where the installation of a CRV® decreased the
meter error from 30% to less than 5%.
In new Installations, the CRV® allows the close coupling of
flow meter to elbows, which results in space savings and
reducing straight-run piping costs.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 Elbow Erosion
Problem: Benefits:
-Frequent elbow erosion due to particulate or two- -Extended life of elbows
phase flow -Safer and better operating and maintenance conditions
-Unsafe elbow erosion conditions -Safer work environment
-Unscheduled maintenance shutdowns -Less down-time

Erosion commonly occurs in elbows and turns within

piping systems. Damage often occurs when the pipe Solution: The CRV®
line is carrying solid particulates, slurries, or two
phase flow, such as wet steam. In a plain elbow, the
flow is accelerated and directed toward the outer wall
of the elbow, which focuses high speed particulates
or droplets on a restricted region. Severe wear begins
to occur at that point.

Installing a CRV® upstream of an elbow eliminates

flow separation and creates a smooth aerodynamic
flow with its vanes to ensure full rotation of all
components in the fluid as a solid body around the
turn. As a result, particulates and droplets are carried
along with the flow much the same as in a straight
piece of pipe, which shows little erosion in the same
service. In addition, the entire cross-sectional area of
the elbow is available for flow and the maximum fluid
velocity reached is much lower than in a plain elbow.

The CRV® vanes aerodynamic design, as shown

below, eliminates erosion of the CRV® itself in gas-
liquid, two-phase flow applications. In slurry or gas-
particulate applications, the CRV® can be hardened,
surface treated or manufactured in an appropriate
material whose hardness is greater than that of the
particulates.

Case History 1: A case history involving the installation of a total of six CRV®s, one upstream of each of six 2” extra
heavy pipe elbows for wet steam service in a paper mill, prove successful operation for more than two years after
installation. Previously, elbow replacement was required every 3 months.

Case History 2: Fluid catalytic cracking units (FCCU) in refineries have also successfully used the CRV® on spent
catalyst blowdown lines. Here, a total of four specially hardened CRV®s were installed in the FCCU 12” diameter
piping systems, one in front of each 90⁰ and 180⁰ turn, which eliminated the erosion experienced every 6 months in
the sweep elbows .

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 Check Valves
Problem:
-Check valve chatter with close coupled upstream
elbows
-Disc pin wear and breakage
-Poor sealing due to pin wear
Check valves, by the very nature of their design,
respond to flow and pressure disturbances such as
turbulence in the upstream piping system. This can
result in the disc oscillating back and forth on the pin
support. When a check valve is close-coupled to an
upstream elbow, the turbulence becomes severe and
the oscillations are of a large enough amplitude that
the disc continually moves, may bang against the
stop, and the pin eventually fails.
In check valve systems with upstream close-coupled
elbows, one can eliminate harmful high amplitude
pressure bursts (a) by installing a CRV® (b) upstream
of the elbow.
Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.
Benefits:
-Eliminate elbow induced flow turbulence
-Extend pin life
-Improve sealing life
Solution: The CRV®
Experimental results of check valve dynamics with and
without a CRV® are shown. Figure (a) shows pressure
measurements as a function of time with the elbow-check
valve combination only (Without the CRV®). The high
amplitude pressure bursts are damaging to the check valve
and a result of the oscillating check valve disc and the
turbulence generated by the elbow.
With a CRV® mounted in front of the elbow-check valve
combination, turbulence generated by the elbow is
eliminated. Figure (b) shows an absence of high amplitude
pressure bursts. This results in minimized wear on check
valve pins, extended life, reduced vibration and noise, and
better sealing because or pin integrity.
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 Water Hammer
Problem: Benefits:
-Travelling pressure wave reflecting back and forth in -Minimize pipe damage using CRV® as a passive damper for
piping system pressure waves
-Pipe and elbow breakage -Extended life of elbows and pipes

Water hammer is actually a traveling pressure wave. Solution: The CRV®

It was initiated by the rapid stoppage of an
incompressible flowing liquid. For example, the
pounding of process piping usually occurs due to
rapid valve closure or when large steam bubbles are
introduced into water and the water rapidly collapses
the steam bubbles. These pressure waves reflect
back-and-forth between the interior walls of a piping
system, reinforcing themselves as succeeding waves
encounter the reflected waves. They can become so
energetic that catastrophic structural damage could
occur.

The CRV® proves extremely useful in controlling water

hammer. Dramatic improvements were seen in a
piping circuit with four elbows between the supply
line and the shut-off valve where the wall static
pressure with and without CRV®s was measured. The
results indicate that with a CRV® in place upstream of
each elbow, the amplitude of the peak pressure pulse
was 49% of that without CRV®s.

The CRV®s geometric features prove extremely useful

in controlling water hammer. When fluid is flowing in
the forward direction, the CRV® is passive and offers
little pressure drop, but when the fluid travels
backwards, it will exhibit a high pressure drop and not
remain attached to the CRV® vanes, as shown below
in figure (a(. The high drag footprint for backward
flowing fluid and pressure waves is shown below in
figure (b), and acts as a passive damper for reverse
flow pressure waves, thus controlling water hammer.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 Customer Case Studies

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 Customer Case Studies

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

 CRV® & LAD® Design & Installation
Availability:
The highly adaptable CRV® and LAD® are manufactured in most commercially available materials of construction, pipe
diameters, housing schedules and end connections. Special coatings and finishes may also be specified i.e. Boron coating for
strengthening.

Specifying a Flow Conditioner:

For the convenience of engineers, architects and contractors in writing CRV® and LAD® specifications, please reference the
diagrams provided below.

Dimensions:
LAD®- Fits into any size concentric expansion or reduction.
CRV®- Standard unit dimensions in 2-12" sizes are shown in Table 1 below. If a shorter CRV® is required, it can be custom
manufactured upon request.

Pipe Fitting Geometry:

When specifying a CRV®, it is critical that the CRV® matches the geometry of the fitting to which it will be attached. The fitting
schedule (wall thickness) and type of fitting must be specified. For example, fitting types are shown in fugure 11-15 and are
available in both short and long radius. In order to assist you in proper specification of your fitting, the following
nomenclature and dimensions are noted for common fittings in Table 2.

*Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. Reserves the right to modify dimensions, materials, or design to ensure ideal performance of CRV ®.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc.
480 San Antonio Road, Suite 120. Mountain View, CA 94040. Phone: (650) 941-9290. Website: www.chengfluid.com

We are pleased to receive your inquiry for use of our CRV® product. Our CRV® and LAD® products are custom made to
specifically address each piping issue offering the greatest achievable flow correction. Please fill in the form below for a
quote request. You may email additional information and drawings to info@chengfluid.com.

Name Date
Company Title
Street City & State
E-mail Telephone

Application Data Flow Conditions Mechanical Data

 Pump: Fluid Type Piping Diameter/Schedule
Mfg./Model____________ _________________________________ ___________________________
NPSH Avail./Req’d_______
RPM__________________ Flow Rate Materials of Construction
 Condenser Cooling Circuit _________________________________ ___________________________
 Elbow Erosion Elbow Geometry:
 Water hammer Temperature  45⁰  Long Radius
 Compressor _________________________________  90⁰  Short Radius
 Vibration  180⁰  Miter
 Flow Meter Pressure  Tee  Other______
 Check Valve _________________________________  Other______
The CRV® is supplied as a pipe stub with internal welded
 Noise
Other, please specify vanes. The pipe stub is approximately one diameter long
 Other with buttweld ends; Flanges are optional.
_________________________________
Description of Problem
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Isometric installation sketch showing upstream elbows, piping system diameters, lengths, and other inline equipment such
as meters, valves, strainers, tee’s, expanders, etc.

Cheng Fluid Systems, Inc. www.chengfluid.com