Control Valve

Selection & Sizing

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Sliding Stem?

• Wider control range than rotary.

• Less intrusive maintenance than rotary.

• Less dead band and hysteresis than rotary.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Sliding Stem?

• Less chance of cavitation and noise than

rotary due to more evenly distributed
pressure losses leading to higher pressure
recovery factor 𝐹𝐿 .

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Fisher ED?

• Single ported – This is preferred as differential

expansion issues experienced with double
ported valves are avoided.
• Balanced plug – This is preferred as none of
our applications require tight shut off, so we
are not concerned with extra leak path and
can specify a smaller actuator.
• Cage guided – Allows easy characterisation
through correct cage selection.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Equal Percentage Trim?

• Linear trim only suitable for constant pressure drop

applications as shown below. Our applications do
not have constant pressure drop.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Equal Percentage Trim?

• Quick opening trim typically suitable for on/off

control and relief applications. Our applications
are all modulating control.

• Our applications have pumped flows and long

piping runs, as flow rate increases pump
discharge pressures decrease and frictional
pressure drops through the piping system
increase reducing pressure drop across the valve.

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Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Equal Percentage Trim?

Equal %

LINEAR

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why 316 stainless steel trim?

• Trim must be a compromise between cost and

good service life.
• Cheap, low grade trim materials not suitable
for hydrocarbon service.
• Expensive alloys not justified for standard
hydrocarbon service.
• 316 is industry standard stainless offering
reasonable resistance to erosion and corrosion
without unjustifiable expense.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why PTFE packing?

• PTFE packing preferred to graphite due to

reduced stem friction.
• But PTFE only suitable up to 232℃ above
which graphite should be specified.
• All three of our applications have a normal
working temperature of 50℃, well within
range required for PTFE.
• Extension bonnet not required at 50℃.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Size for Required 𝐶𝑣 at ~60% Opening?

• Valve must be sufficiently sized to pass

maximum flow capacity.
• But over sized valves cost more and give poor
control.
• Oversized valves operate in 0 – 25% open
region where gains are too high.
• Extreme case – Imagine trying to fill a cup
from a fire hydrant!!!

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Size for Required 𝐶𝑣 at ~60% Opening?

• 60% opening typically around mid-point of

control range allowing good margin of
openings either side for maximum and
minimum flow.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why Spring & Diaphragm Actuator?

• Spring and diaphragm actuators generally

have less friction than piston actuators.
• More maintenance is required for piston
actuators as piston actuator friction increases
with age as o rings and lubrication wear.
• Spring and diaphragm actuators have a faster
response for small signal changes, piston
actuators can be faster across full range.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Why a Two Stage Positioner?
• Use of a positioner gives more accuracy due to
position feedback and faster response due to
ability to supply large quantities of air quickly.
• Two stage positioner gives high sensitivity
from pre-amplifier and good response across
the range from power-amplifier.
• Alternative spool type valve positioners do not
have high gain preamplifier resulting in more
dead time and slower response.

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 Control Valve Selection & Sizing
Further Positioner Improvements?
• If included in First Vue Software a smart positioner
such the Fisher DCV6200 may have been specified.
• Allow valve diagnostics to be communicated over
HART or fieldbus for maintenance.
• Uses hall effect sensor for position feedback to
eliminate backlash and wear associated with
mechanical linkage.

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