CONTROL VALVES: CHARACTERISTICS, GAIN & TRANSFER FUNCTION
1. CONTROL VALVES: CHARACTERISTICS, GAIN
& TRANSFER FUNCTION
1
CONTROL PROCESS
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
"Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best." - St. Jerome
2. CONTROL VALVES: CHARACTERISTICS, GAIN &
TRANSFER FUNCTION
IRIS BUSTAMANTE PÁJARO*
ANGIE CASTILLO GUEVARA*
ALVARO JOSE GARCÍA PADILLA *
KARIANA ANDREA MORENO SADDER*
LUIS ALBERTO PATERNINA NUÑEZ*
9th SEMESTER
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING PROGRAM
UNIVERSITY OF CARTAGENA
2
CONTROL PROCESS
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
4. 4
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Monsen, 2015
INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS
Valve flow capacity Valve opening NO system effects involved
Who provides it?
Manufacturer
Based on tests performed in a system where great care is taken to
ensure that the pressure drop across the test valve is held constant at
all valve openings and flow rates
5. 5
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
INHERENT CHARACTERISTICS
𝐶𝑣 coefficient f (valve position)
Cero 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
Fully
opened
Closed
Variation allows to
regulate the flow
Manufacturers can shape valve characteristics by arranging the way the
area of the valve orifice varies with valve position.
6. 6
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
COMMON VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
0
20
40
60
80
100
0 20 40 60 80 100
% valve position
𝐶𝑣,%ofmaximum
Equal percentage
(𝛼 = 50)
Linear
Quick-
opening
QUICK-OPENING
Regulating flow
Relief valves
On-off control system
Variation in 𝐶 𝑣 takes place
in the lower third of valve
travel
7. 7
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
COMMON VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
LINEAR
𝐶 𝑣 𝑣𝑝 = 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝑣𝑝
EQUAL PERCENTAGE
𝐶 𝑣 𝑣𝑝 = 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝛼 𝑣𝑝−1
To regulate flow
What is it used for?
Coefficient proportional to the valve position
Exponential function deviates in the lower 5% of the travel
Rangeability
parameter: 50 (most
common) or 100
8. 8
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
What makes an exponential function useful for regulating flow?
To achieve uniform control performance Control loop with constant gain
Linear valve Constant gain
Equal percentage valve Gain increases as valve opens
Most processes exhibit decrease in gain with increasing load
Correct selection?
Detailed analysis of personality of the processes
Linear valve ∆𝑃 does NOT vary with flow
Equal percentage valve ∆𝑃 varies with flow & processes with
decreases in gains
9. 9
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
VALVE RANGEABILITY
Ratio of the maximum controllable flow to the minimum controllable flow
Rangeability =
Flow at 95% valve position
Flow at 5% valve position
Note: 90 & 10 % valve position can be used
If ∆𝑃 is independent of flow Flow proportional to 𝐶𝑣
LINEAR
EQUAL PERCENTAGE
QUICK-OPENING
Rangeability = 0.95/0.05 = 19
Rangeability = 𝛼−0.05
/𝛼−0.95
Rangeability = 3
10. 10
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
INSTALLED VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
∆𝑃 in the line & equipment in series ∆𝑃 in valve
Consider the piping system:
𝑓
∆𝑃𝐿 ∆𝑃𝑣
∆𝑃𝑜
Assumptions:
∆𝑃𝐿 varies with the square of flow
∆𝑃𝑜 independient of flow
Turbulent flow
Pressure drop across the valve:
∆𝑃𝑣= 𝐺𝑓
𝑓2
𝐶𝑣
2
11. 11
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
INSTALLED VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
Pressure drop in the line & equipment:
∆𝑃𝐿= 𝑘 𝐿 𝐺𝑓 𝑓2
where:
∆𝑃𝐿= frictional pressure drop across the line, fittings, equipment, etc. in
series with the control valve, psi
𝑓 = flow through the valve and line, gpm
𝑘 𝐿 = constant friction coefficient for the line, fittings, equipment, etc.,
psi/(gpm)2
𝐺𝑓 = Specific gravity of the liquid
∆𝑃𝑜= ∆𝑃𝑣 + ∆𝑃𝐿=
1
𝐶 𝑣
2 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐺𝑓 𝑓2
12. 12
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
INSTALLED VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
Solving for flow yields:
𝑓 =
𝐶 𝑣
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶 𝑣
2
∆𝑝 𝑜
𝐺𝑓
Model of installed
characteristics
Notice…
If line pressure drop is negligible
𝑘 𝐿 = 0∆𝑃𝑜= ∆𝑃𝑣
𝑓 = 𝐶 𝑣
∆𝑝 𝑣
𝐺𝑓
Installed characteristics Inherent characteristics
13. 13
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
INSTALLED VALVE CHARACTERISTICS
Friction coefficient:
𝑘 𝐿 =
∆𝑃𝐿
𝐺𝑓 𝑓 2
Nominal flow
For maximum flow:
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥 =
𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
2
∆𝑝 𝑜
𝐺𝑓
Installed characteristics in fraction of maximum flow:
𝑓
𝑓𝑚𝑎𝑥
=
𝐶 𝑣
𝐶𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
2
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶𝑣
2
Applied only for liquid
flow without flashing
14. 14
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.4
For the valve of Example 5-2.3, find the maximum flow through the
valve, the installed flow characteristics and the rangeability of the
valve. Assume both linear and equal percentage characteristics with
a rangeability parameter of 50. Analyze the effect of varying the
pressure drop across the valve at nominal flow.
Solution:
Before resolving the exercise, we must identify all the information
supplied by it. The Example 5-2.3 consists in a process for
transferring an oil from a storage tank to a separation tower.
20. 20
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.4
𝑓0.95 =
526 gpm/psi1/2
1 + 13.0 ∙ 10−6 psi
gpm2 526
gpm
psi1/2
2
11 psi
0.94
= 839 gpm
Rangeability =
839 gpm
53.2 gpm
= 15.8
Repeat the previous steps but changing valve pressure drop, psi. The aim
of this is to obtain a curve of %valve position versus flow, % of maximum
at different valve pressure drop.
21. 21
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.4
Valve pressure drop, psi
2 5 10 14
Total pressure drop, psi 8 11 16 20
Calculated 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 959.8 607 429.2 362.8
Required valve size 10 in 8 in 8 in 6 in
Actual 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 1000 640 640 400
Maximum flow, gpm 779.7 870.5 1049.9 1051.3
Linear rangeability 5.4 7.9 7.9 11.23
Equal % rangeability 10.8 15.8 15.8 21.8
Table 1. Results for Example 5-2.4
31. 31
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
CONTROL VALVE GAIN & TRANSFER FUNCTION
Steady-state change in output divided by the
change in input
Gain
From
controller
m(t), %CO
f(t)
Output: Flow
Input: Controller output signal
𝐾𝑣 =
𝑑𝑓
𝑑𝑚
,
𝑔𝑝𝑚
%𝐶𝑂
𝐾𝑣 =
𝑑𝑣𝑝
𝑑𝑚
𝑑𝐶 𝑣
𝑑𝑣𝑝
𝑑𝑓
𝑑𝐶 𝑣
Chain rule of differentiation
32. 32
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
CONTROL VALVE GAIN & TRANSFER FUNCTION
Sign depends on whether valve fails closed or opened:
𝑑𝑣𝑝
𝑑𝑚
= ±
1
100
frn 𝑣𝑝
%𝐶𝑂
Fails closed (+) Fails opened (-)
Dependence of 𝐶 𝑣 on valve position depends of valve characteristics:
Linear characteristics:
𝑑𝐶 𝑣
𝑑𝑣𝑝
= 𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
Smith & Corripio, 2005
33. 33
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
CONTROL VALVE GAIN & TRANSFER FUNCTION
Equal percentage characteristics:
𝑑𝐶 𝑣
𝑑𝑣𝑝
= (ln 𝛼)𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 𝛼 𝑣𝑝−1
= (ln 𝛼)𝐶 𝑣
Smith & Corripio, 2005
Dependence of flow on the 𝐶 𝑣 :
Function of installed characteristics of the control valve
Constant valve
pressure drop
Variable pressure
drop across the valve
36. 36
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
CONTROL VALVE GAIN & TRANSFER FUNCTION
Variable pressure drop across the valve:
Smith & Corripio, 2005
𝐾𝑣 = ±
ln 𝛼
100
𝐶 𝑣
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶 𝑣
2 3/2
∆𝑝 𝑜
𝐺𝑓
= ±
ln 𝛼
100
𝑓
1 + 𝑘 𝐿 𝐶 𝑣
2
𝑔𝑝𝑚
%𝐶𝑂
Equal percentage characteristics:
Linear characteristics:
Equal percentage characteristics:
Gain decreases as the valve opens
Gain is less variable with valve opening
37. 37
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.5
Find the gain and the valve position at design conditions for the
steam valve of Example 5-2.2. Assume that the 10 –in. valve with
𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 1000 is selected and that the pressure around the valve are
independent of flow. Consider both a valve with linear characteristics
and an equal percentage valve with rangeability parameter of 50. For
the latter, find the gain at the nominal flow of 16100 lb/h.
Constant pressure drop
Valve fails closed to prevent overheating the reboiler, then the valve
gain is positive.
Assumptions:
38. 38
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.5
Valve position at designed flow
𝑣𝑝 =
𝐶 𝑣
𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
=
440 gpm/psi1/2
1000 gpm/psi1/2
= 0.44
Calculated in Example 5-2.2.
The gain is
𝐾𝑣 = +
𝑤 𝑚𝑎𝑥
100
=
1
100
16100 𝑙𝑏/ℎ
1000 gpm/psi1/2
440 gpm/psi1/2
Linear characteristics:
𝐾𝑣 = 366
𝑙𝑏/ℎ
%𝐶𝑂
Note: To estimate maximum
flow we used 𝐶𝑣 ratios
39. 39
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.5
Valve position at designed flow
𝛼 𝑣𝑝−1
=
𝐶 𝑣
𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥
=
440 gpm/psi1/2
1000 gpm/psi1/2
= 0.44
The gain is
𝐾𝑣 = +
ln 𝛼
100
𝑤 =
ln 50
100
16100 𝑙𝑏/ℎ
𝐾𝑣 = 630
𝑙𝑏/ℎ
%𝐶𝑂
Equal percentage characteristics:
𝑣𝑝 =
ln 0.44
ln 50
+ 1 = 0.79
40. 40
BASICCOMPONENTSOFCONTROLSYSTEMS
CONTROL VALVES
Smith & Corripio, 2005
EXAMPLE 5-2.6
∆𝑃𝑜 = 11 psi, 𝑓 = 700 gpm, 𝑘 𝐿 = 13 ∙ 10−6
𝑝𝑠𝑖/𝑔𝑝𝑚2
, 𝐶𝑣 =
303 𝑔𝑝𝑚/𝑝𝑠𝑖1/2
, and ,𝐶 𝑣,𝑚𝑎𝑥 = 640 𝑔𝑝𝑚/𝑝𝑠𝑖1/2
.
Variable pressure drop
Calculate the gain of the valve in Example 5-2.4. at nominal flow.
Consider both linear valve and an equal percentage valve with
rangeability parameter of 50.
Assumptions:
Valve fails closed, so its gain is positive because the controller signal
opens it.
Information: