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PRESSURE LOSS CV AND KV METHOD

SUMMARY
Cv and Kv are singles values in units of flowrate that may be used to characterise

the relationship between flowrate and pressure loss for fittings and equipment.
This article demonstrates how to calculate the Cv or Kv values, and how to use

these values to determine the pressure loss for a given flowrate.

1. DEFINITIONS
Cv : Flow coefficient determined on a US customary basis
​

Kv : Flow coefficient determined on a metric basis

​

Q : Flowrate of fluid
SG : Specific gravity of the fluid
ΔP : Pressure change through the equipment
ρ : Density of the fluid

2. INTRODUCTION
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There are many ways of describing the pressure loss through pipes, fittings and
equipment. The Cv and Kv methods use a single number to characterise the

flowrate through the equipment at a known pressure loss, this number may then
be used to estimate the pressure loss characteristics of the equipment at other
flowrates.

While the Cv and Kv methods may be used to describe many types of fitting and

equipment, the most common use is for describing the flow characteristics of
control valves. The Cv value is in units of US gallons per minute, while the Kv

value is in units of m3/hr. The Cv values, using US customary units are far more

widely reported than Kv values, using Metric units.

3. CALCULATION OF PRESSURE LOSS USING THE CV METHOD

A Cv value is defined as the rate of flow of water in US gallons per Minute at

60°F at a pressure drop of 1 psi across the equipment. Cv relates to pressure drop

and flowrate via the following expression (imperial units):

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SG
Cv = Q
ΔP
​ ​ ​

Where Q is in USGPM and ΔP is in psi.

Thus for a given Cv, SG and Q the pressure drop across an item of equipment is

calculated as:

2
ΔP = SG ( )
Q
​

Cv ​

Cv relates to pressure drop and flow rate via the following expression (Metric

Units):

ρ
Cv = 0.0694Q
ΔP × 999
​ ​ ​

Where Q is in L/min, ρ is in kg/m3 and ΔP is in bar.

Thus for a given Cv, ρ and Q the pressure drop across an item of equipment is

calculated as:

2
0.0694Q
( )
ρ
ΔP =
999
​ ​

Cv ​

4. CALCULATION OF PRESSURE LOSS USING THE KV METHOD

A Kv value is defined as the rate of flow of water in m3/hr and 4°C at a pressure

drop of 1 bar across the equipment. Kv relates to pressure drop and flow rate via
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10/2/22, 10:44 AM Pressure Loss Cv and Kv Method | Neutrium

the following expression:

SG
Kv = Q
ΔP
​ ​ ​

Where Q is in m3/hr and ΔP is in bar.

Thus for a given Kv, ρ and Q the pressure drop across an item of equipment is

calculated as:

2
ΔP = SG ( )
Q
​

Kv ​

5. CONVERSION BETWEEN CV AND KV VALUES

Values of Cv and Kv can be converted using the formulae below:

Cv = 1.157 × Kv
​ ​

Kv = 0.8646 × Cv
​ ​

Article Created: May 5, 2012   

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ARTICLE TAGS

Cv Flow Coefficient Fluid Flow Kv Pressure Drop Pressure Loss

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