IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science

OPEN ACCESS Related content

- Flow characteristics and performance
Experimental study for flow characteristics and evaluation of butterfly valves using
numerical analysis
performance evaluation of butterfly valves S Y Jeon, J Y Yoon and M S Shin

- Controlling the cavitation phenomenon of

evolution on a butterfly valve
To cite this article: C K Kim et al 2010 IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 12 012098 G Baran, I Catana, I Magheti et al.

- Parametric performance evaluation of a

hydraulic centrifugal pump
M W Heo, K Y Kim, S B Ma et al.
View the article online for updates and enhancements.

This content was downloaded from IP address 157.48.199.24 on 02/12/2020 at 04:29

25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

Experimental study for flow characteristics and performance

evaluation of butterfly valves
C K Kim1, J Y Yoon2 and M S Shin1
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanyang University
17 Haengdang-dong Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 133-791, Republic of Korea
2
Division of Mechanical and Management Engineering, Hanyang University
1271 Sa-3-dong Sangnok-gu, Ansan, 425-791, Republic of Korea

E-mail: kck0513@hanyang.ac.kr
Abstract. The industrial butterfly valves have been applied to transport a large of fluid with
various fields of industry. Also, these are mainly used a control of fluid flux to the water and
waste-water pipeline. Present, butterfly valves are manufacturing for multiplicity shape of
bodies and discs with many producers. However, appropriate performance evaluation was not
yet accomplished to compare about these valves through experiments. This study is performed
the experiment of flow characteristics and performance of manufactured 400A butterfly valves
for the water and waste pipeline, and compared experimental results. We performed
experiments that were controlled fixed a differential pressure condition (1 psi) and the range of
the flow rate conditions (500 m3/hr ~ 2500 m3/hr), and also opened the disc of valves to a range
of angle from 9 degree to 90 degree. We investigated and compared the valve flow coefficient
and the valve loss coefficient of results through experiments with each butterfly valve.

1. Introduction
Recent, the industry fields have been used variety the control valves for effectively control of a flow rate. The
valve is the fluid device for the control of the fluid characteristics such as flow rate, direction, pressure and
temperature, which it was basically performed four functions such that on-off, throttling, non-return and
overpressure. In generally, a variety of control valves such as the butterfly valve, the ball valve, the globe valve,
and the gate valve. A butterfly valve is used to open and close the pipeline, and to control the flow rate by
rotating a disc with relatively low pressure. According to the location of the rotating axis of the valve disc,
butterfly valves are classified into the concentric butterfly valve and the eccentric butterfly valve [1]. Especially,
the butterfly valve was mainly used in large diameter pipeline system for the transportation of petroleum, gas,
water and waste-water. Hence, it has relatively low pressure as compare with another control valve [2]. Thus, for
this reason, many researchers have been carried out the experimental and the numerical study for the
performance and characteristics of butterfly valve.
Eom (1988) [3] treated with the butterfly valve as a controlling device for flows. However, none of them
investigated three-dimensional throttled flow patterns with different valve openings. Kimura et al. (1995) [4, 5]
presented two papers about the study of butterfly valve. The first paper researches the torque characteristics, and
the second focuses on the pressure drop induced by the valve disc. Haung and Kim(1996) [6] investigated three-
dimensional analysis of partially open butterfly valve flows by using commercial code FLUENT, the
characteristics of the butterfly valves flows at different valve disc angles with a uniform incoming velocity were
investigated. Solliec and Danbon (1999) [7] analyzed the fluctuations of the instantaneous torque according to
the valve/elbow spacing, and made recommendations for the installation of that kind of flow control valve. Kang
et al. (2006) [8] investigated the effect of the attached fitting on the valve flow coefficient about four type of
fitting such as L, T, Y, and the cross types using the experiments and the numerical analysis. Yi et al. (2008) [9]
performed to design the optimization of eccentric butterfly valve using the characteristics function for the valve
geometry, and showed results that performed the characteristics of flow and the structure analysis of the
eccentric valve.
In commonly, the main components of butterfly valve are consists of a body, a shaft, and a disc. Among the
components, an important component to affect of flow is the disc of butterfly valve. Mainly, the valve flow


c 2010 IOP Publishing Ltd 1
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

coefficient and the valve loss coefficient were essential variables for the flow characteristics and the performance
of the valve. These coefficients used to evaluate and to predict the performance of butterfly valve. Therefore, to
evaluation for the flow characteristics and performance of butterfly valve through the experiments is important.
However, previous experimental research was performed on the valve diameter 100mm and less by the limitation
of experimental environments. And numerical researcher was also performed the investigation of numerical
analysis that refer to experimental data. Accordingly, for a large diameter valve, evaluating of the flow
characteristics and performance has the limitation for a reference of the previous research data. Furthermore,
recent, for the case of the water supply pipe system, installed butterfly valve is need to validate the effective
performance of the valve. For the case of the butterfly valve of a prototype or a trial product used at the industry
field is also need to compare appropriate the experimental data for the validation of flow characteristics and
performance.
This study performed the 400mm diameter of butterfly valve on the water supply pipe system using the
calibration system of large flow-meter that built in Korea Institute of Water and Environmental. However, it also
evaluated the flow characteristics and the performance to compare with the fixed differential pressure of 1 psi
and the differential pressure for the change of maximum flow rates of 5 cases.

2. Experiments
2.1 Experimental Equipment System
Fig. 1 shows a scheme of an experimental equipment system. This experimental equipment system was used
the calibration system of large flow-meter that was built in Korea Institute of Water and Environmental, Korea
Water Resource Corporation. It has the greatest diameter of 800mm and Sump tank of 50 tons. Uncertainty at the
flow rate of 2700 m3/h has the flow rate of 3.95 m3/h, this value could express that an expansion uncertainty in
the confidence interval of 95% has 0.3% [10].
The experimental equipment system was constituted by IEC60534-2-3(1997) [13], which consists of a
reservoir for preservation of returning water, a pump for lift up to a constant level head tank, the constant level
head tank for supplying of constant flow rate of water, the upstream and the downstream throttling valves,
thermometer, Electromagnetic flow meter, upstream/downstream pressure tap for measurement pressure drop
and the test valve. The pipe for test section was installed a diameter of 400mm for the test valve, and the points
of the pressure taps was located on 2D and 6D from a test valve, respectively.

Fig. 1 Experimental system scheme

2
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

2.2 Experimental Method

For this experiments, in order to compare the valve flow coefficient and the loss coefficient of test valves
from the measured value of an independent variables e.g. pressure drop, flow rate. However, it was also
performed to synthesize and to consider on the probability distribution that standardized a measurement error
and an error range from the measurement uncertainty of related measure equipments and measured variables.
The measurement uncertainty that expressed the best measurement capabilities (BMC) was ensured the limit
of ± 1% (95% confidence level), was calculated a valve flow coefficient and a loss coefficient to represent a flow
characteristics of the valve on the assured reliability in this experiments through the measured value. The valve
experimental method was used the method of measurement that proposed by ANSI/ISA-75.02 [12] or IEC
60534-2-3 [13].

Fig. 2 Valve test section scheme [13]

For the estimation of a valve flow coefficient, experimental procedure described as follows. Fig. 2 showed test
section scheme that was installed the test valve without attached fittings by requirement of piping. Differential
pressure was then measured to a selected disc angle both the pressure taps and valve disc lift were used the
formal valve disc lift rates: 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 100%. However, it performed to
calculate the characteristics of a proper flow using the measured pressures at the formal the valve disc lift rates.
The experiments performed to measure with the flow rate(Q) and the differential pressure( ΔP ) between the
upstream and the downstream pressure taps, and acquired the data of the case of the fixed differential
pressure( ΔP = 1 psi) and the 5 cases of the differential pressure at the maximum flow rates(Qmax = 500, 1000,
1500, 2000, 2500 m3/hr), respectively.
2.2 Valve Flow Coefficient
The valve flow coefficient importantly presented hydrodynamic characteristics of a control valve. It also has
respect to valve type, diameter of valve, opening rate of valve and operating fluids. This valve flow coefficient is
an important characteristic to investigate a valve performance and determined by differential pressure between
upstream and downstream. When the differential pressure arises 1 psi at the specified valve disc lift rates with
temperature 5 ~ 40℃ of water, Equation (1)[11, 12] was shown the flow rate of fluid through the valve as
follows.
(1)
⎛ G ⎞
C v = 1.167Q ⎜ ⎟
⎝ ΔP ⎠
2.3 Valve Loss Coefficient
The fluid in a piping system passes through various valves, bends, elbows, inlets, exits, enlargements, and
contractions in addition to the pipes. These components interrupt the flow of the fluid and cause additional losses
because of the flow separation and mixing. A partially closed valve may cause the largest head loss in the system
by the drop in the flow rate. Flow through valves is very complex, and a theoretical analysis is generally not
plausible. However, this loss called the valve loss coefficient is determined experimentally and expressed as
another representation of relation between pressure difference, fluid density and fluid average velocity following

3
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

Equations (2)[11, 12].

h
K= 2
u / 2g
ΔP (2)
h=
ρg
2.3 Valve Experimental Cases
The valve experiments cases shown in Table 1. The valve experiments data was acquired the flow rate in the
pipe and the differential pressure between the upstream and the downstream. The experiments condition cases
also was controlled with the conditions that have the differential pressure ( ΔP = 1 psi) and the maximum flow
rates (Qmax=500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 m3/hr) with each experiments of test valves, respectively. Horizontal
axis of the figure was represents the valve disc lift rates, and vertical axis of the figure was represents each the
valve flow coefficient and the valve loss coefficient values. Fig. 3 then shown that butterfly valves for this
experiments.

Table 1 Valve Experimental Cases

Valve Sheet Valve Experimental Conditions

Valve Type
Material Differential Pressure (ΔP) Valve Disc Lift (°)
Single eccentric ΔP = 1 psi
Test Valve A Rubber
axis Qmax =
Double eccentric 500 m3/hr (Re = 439
Test Valve B Rubber
axis 246)
Double eccentric 1000 m3/hr (Re = 878
Test Valve C Metal 9° ~ 90°
axis 493)
(9° interval)
Triple eccentric 1500 m3/hr (Re = 1 317
Test Valve D Metal 10 points
axis 739)
2000 m3/hr (Re = 1 756
Concentric axis 386)
Test Valve E Rubber
(Slanted Disc) 2500 m3/hr (Re = 2 196
232)

(a) Test valve A (b) Test valve B

4
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

(c) Test valve C (d) Test valve D

(e) Test valve E

Fig. 3 Experimental Butterfly valves

3. Results and Discussion

We performed the experiments of butterfly valves of diameter 400mm with a differential pressure condition
case and 5 flow rate condition cases. We also compared to use the valve flow coefficient and the valve loss
coefficient. These coefficients are importance parameters for valve characteristics and performance. However,
the valve flow coefficient shows the flow capacity of a valve by disc opening lift and the valve loss coefficient
shows a pressure loss for the flow rate by disc opening lift.
Fig. 4 shows the valve flow coefficient of 5 test valves. Fig. 4 (a) shows the valve flow coefficient for fixed
pressure condition with each valve and Fig. 4 (b) ~ (f) also shows to compare the valve flow coefficient for 5
cases of the flow rates. The valve flow coefficient curves of test valves generally showed tendency of the
equality curves that change to proportional a flow rate by the disc opening lifts.
In the case of high flow rate condition (2000 m3/h ~), the valve flow coefficient curves clearly display
different performance and show analogous with 1 psi pressure condition results. However, test valves A, B, and
C have more high the valve flow coefficient values than triple eccentric axis and inclined disc concentric axis for
test valve D, E. Performance of test valves A, B and C that have single, double eccentric axis, have meanings
more the high capability performance at the same flow rate or Reynolds number. It therefore needs to consider a
valve axis type for the butterfly valve design and selection, because of eccentric axis affects to a valve
performance. We also obtained that valve sheet materials no make different to the valve flow coefficient values
in these results.
Fig. 5 shows to compare the valve loss coefficient on the log-scale with test valves. The valve loss coefficient
have considered to design the pipe system with alike other hydrodynamic loss coefficients such as a pipe friction
loss, a contraction loss, and expansion loss i.e. In generally, a valve loss coefficient of common butterfly valve
showed a high value at the low valve disc lift less than 15%. These results also show the high valve loss
coefficient value at the low disc opening lift. Test valves A, B, C, and D have a little different the valve loss
coefficient values, however, they proper to use for flow control in the water and waste-water supply pipeline
system.
In the case of test valve E that has concentric axis slanted disc, it significantly has greater the valve loss
coefficient values at the valve disc lift of range 10% ~ 20% than other test valves. It is to appropriate to use a

5
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

limited range of the valve disc lift between 20% and 100%. However, test valve E showed smaller the valve flow
coefficient value and larger the valve loss coefficient valve than test valve A, B, C, and D.

(a) ΔP = 1 psi (b) Qmax = 500 m3/hr (c) Qmax = 1000 m3/hr

(d) Qmax = 1500 m3/hr (e) Qmax = 2000 m3/hr (f) Qmax = 2500 m3/hr
Fig. 4 Comparison of the valve flow coefficient with test valves

4. Conclusion
This study has performed experiments with the butterfly valve of 5 cases for water supply system using the
calibration system of large flow-meter that built in Korea Institute of Water and Environmental. The results
obtained the valve flow coefficients and the loss coefficients that calculating velocities and differential pressure
under 1 psi differential pressure condition and 5 cases flow rates conditions. It also compared and evaluated the
flow characteristics and performance for test valves through those results. It obtained conclusion as follows:
(1) The valve flow coefficient under the high flow rate nearly shows to similar curves of the 1 psi differential
pressure condition. It also shows to appropriate in the high flow rate condition to obtain more accurate
performance evaluation. Flow characteristics of the test valves have aspect of equality curve and relatively show
to separate the high performance valve group and the low performance valve group.

(2) The valve flow coefficient shows clearly different performance with test valves of 5 cases. In the results,
test valves A, B, and C shows greater the valve coefficient value than test valves D, E. However, single/double
eccentric valves have large the coefficient value than triple eccentric and concentric slanted disc. It is the valve
axis type that significantly means to affect the flow characteristics and the valve performance.
(3) The valve loss coefficient shows to compare with 5 test valves. Test valve E that has concentric axis
inclined disc shows larger loss coefficient value between valve disc lift of 10% ~ 20% than other test valves. It
also has relatively low valve performance. Results of the test valves need to consider for applying the water
supply pipeline system.

6
 25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

(a) ΔP = 1 psi (b) Qmax = 500 m3/hr (c) Qmax = 1000 m3/hr

(d) Qmax = 1500 m3/hr (e) Qmax = 2000 m3/hr (f) Qmax = 2500 m3/hr
Fig. 5 Comparison of the valve loss coefficient with test valves

Acknowledgments
This work was supported by Korean Water Resource Corporation, and 2nd stage BK21 Foundation grant
funded by the Korea government.

Nomenclature
Cv The valve flow coefficient Q Volumetric flow rate[m3/hr]
G Specific Gravity of Water Qmax Maximum of volumetric flow rate[m3/hr]
h Valve head loss[m] u Mean velocity in pipe[m/s]
K The valve loss coefficient g Gravity acceleration[m/s2]
ΔP Differential pressure[N/m2] ρ Density of water[kg/m3]

References
[1] Skousen P L 2004 Valve Handbook (New York: McGraw-Hill, Inc)
[2] Hutchison J W 1967 ISA handbook of control valves, 2nd edition Instrument Society of America (Pittsburg,
USA)
[3] Eom K 1988 Performance of Butterfly Valves as Flow Controller ASME J. of Fluid Eng. Vol. 110 16-19
[4] Kimura T, Tanaka T, Fujimoto K and Ogawa K 1995 Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Butterfly -
Prediction of Pressure Loss Characteristics ISA Transactions 34 319-26
[5] Kimura T, Tanaka T, Fujimoto K and Ogawa K 1995 Hydrodynamic Characteristics of a Butterfly -
Prediction of Torque Characteristics ISA Transactions 34 327-33
[6] Huang C and Kim R H 1996 Three Dimensional Analysis of Partially Open Butterfly Valve Flows
Transactions of the (ASME) J. of Fluids Eng. 118 562-68
[7] Danbon F and Solliec C 2000 Aerodynamic Torque of a Butterfly Valve-Influence of an Elbow on the
Time-mean and Instantaneous Aerodynamic Torque (ASME) J. of Fluids Eng. 122 337-44
[8] Kang S K, Yoon J Y and Lee B H 2006 Numerical and Experimental Investigation on Backward Fitting

7
25th IAHR Symposium on Hydraulic Machinery and Systems IOP Publishing
IOP Conf. Series: Earth and Environmental Science 12 (2010) 012098 doi:10.1088/1755-1315/12/1/012098

Effect on Valve Flow Coefficient Proc. IMech Part E: J. of Process Mechanical Eng. 220 217-20
[9] Yi S I, Shin M K, Shin M S, Yoon J Y and Park G J 2008 "Optimizing of the eccentric check butterfly
valve considering the flow characteristics and structural safety Proc. IMech, Part E: J. of Process
Mechanical Eng. 222 63-73
[10] Lee D K and Park J H 2008 Uncertainly Characteristics of Diverter for Flow meter Calibration System J. of
Fluid Machinery(in Korean) 11(3) 50-55
[11] IEC60534-2-1 1998 Industrial-process control valves: flow capacity - sizing equations for fluid flow
installed conditions, Int. Electrotechnical Commission (Geneva, Switzerland)
[12] ANSI/ISA-75.01.01 2002 Flow Equations for Sizing Control Valves ISA - The Instrumentation, Systems
and Automation Society (North Carolina, USA)
[13] IEC60534-2-3 1997 Industrial-process control valves: flow capacity - testing procedures Int.
Electrotechnical Commission (Geneva, Switzerland)