How To Size A Gas Control Valve

Sizing a control valve means selecting a valve with the correct size orifice to allow good control of flow rate within a required range.

There are other important factors to consider when selecting a control valve, such as valve type and valve characteristic but this article will concentrate on valve sizing.

The procedure explained in this article applies to gas and vapour control valves including steam control valves.  The method for sizing gas control valves is based on the method for sizing liquid control valves.  More information on sizing a liquid control valve can be found here: “How To Size A Liquid Control Valve”.

Sizing a control valve for a particular duty is governed by the required flow rate the valve must pass and the pressure drop that can be allowed across the valve.

Steps To Accurately Size A Gas Control Valve

1. Specify the required design flow rate
2. Specify the allowable pressure drop across the valve
3. Choose a valve type and body size from the manufacturers’ tables
4. Calculate the first estimate of the piping geometry factor and pressure drop ratio factor
5. Determine if the flow through the valve will be sub-critical or critical
6. Calculate the effective pressure drop ratio across the valve
7. Calculate the expansion factor
8. Calculate the first estimate of the required valve Cv
9. Check that the calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve (re-select suitable valve from manufacturers’ tables if required)
10. Check that valve control range is OK
11. If the Cv and control range are suitable the valve is correctly sized.  If not re-select another valve and repeat the sizing procedure from Step 3

Sizing a control valve accurately is an iterative process requiring manufacturer’s information and knowledge of the piping system in which the valve is to be installed.

The procedure is a little bit more complicated than sizing a liquid control valve but is certainly not difficult.  For preliminary estimates of control valve size it is usually OK to assume that the piping geometry factor is 1.

Calculate Control Valve Cv

Gas control valves are sized using a modified version of the liquid control valve equation.  As for liquid control valves, the valve orifice size as given as a “valve flow coefficient” or Cv.

The Cv is defined as the flow rate of water in US gallons per minute that can pass through a valve with a pressure drop of 1 psi at a temperature of 60F.

The equation for calculating the Cv for a gas control valve using metric units is:

Effective Pressure Drop

The effective pressure drop across a gas control valve depends on the properties of the gas flowing through the valve and the valve design.

If the pressure downstream of the valve is lower than a critical value, the flow through the valve will be choked.  Choked flow is also known as critical flow.

The flow is sub-critical if:

For sub-critical flow:

For critical flow:

Where:

Pressure Drop Ratio Factor, X_T

The pressure drop ratio factor is the pressure drop ratio required to produce critical flow through the valve when F_k is equal to 1.

The valve pressure drop ratio is measured experimentally and is tabulated in valve manufacturers catalogues.

If the valve has fittings connected directly upstream and/or downstream, the pressure drop ratio factor must be modified to account for expansion and contraction of the fluid through the fittings.

The modified pressure drop ratio factor, X_TP is calculated using:

Where:

For valves installed with a reducer installed upstream, the inlet fittings head loss coefficient becomes:

Expansion Factor, Y

The expansion factor accounts for the expansion of gas flowing through the valve as the pressure reduces from inlet to outlet.  The expansion factor is the ratio of flow coefficients for a gas to that for a liquid at the same Reynolds number.

The expansion factor must be less than or equal to a value of 0.667.  The following equation defines the expansion factor:

Piping Geometry Factor, F_p

The piping geometry factor is an allowance for the pressure drop associated with fittings that may be connected directly upstream and/or downstream of the valve.

 If no fittings are connected to the valve, the piping geometry factor is 1.

The piping geometry factor is often listed in valve manufacturers catalogues.  Alternatively, it can be calculated using:

Most commonly, the fittings connected to a control valve are upstream and downstream reducers.  In this case the sum of the fittings factors for the reducers is:

Note:

Determining the control valve Cv becomes an iterative process when the piping geometry factor doesn’t equal 1.

1. Estimate the required Cv
2. Select an appropriate valve from the manufacturers’ tables
3. Calculate F_p and X_TP using the actual Cv of the selected valve
4. Re-calculate the required Cv using the values of F_p and X_TP determined in Step 3
5. Check that the re-calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve
6. If the re-calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv, the selected valve is adequately sized
7. If the re-calculated Cv is greater than the actual Cv of the selected valve, select another valve with a larger Cv and return to Step 3

Control Valve Sizing Rules Of Thumb

There are many rules of thumb designed to help with control valve sizing.  The following guidance is taken from “Rules of Thumb For Chemical Engineers” by Carl Brannan and the author’s personal notes.

1. Set the design flow as the greater of:
   • 1.3 x normal flow rate
   • 1.1 x maximum required flow rate
2. Set the control pressure drop to equal 50% – 60% of the frictional pressure loss of the piping system
3. Limit the maximum flow rate : minimum flow rate turndown to 5:1 for linear trim valves and 10:1 for equal percentage trim valves
4. The valve should be able to control the required range of flow rates between 10% and 80% of valve opening
5. Ideally select a valve that has a body size 1 pipe size smaller than the pipe in which it is to be installed (e.g. select a 3” valve for a 4” pipe)
6. Never select a valve larger than the pipe in which it is to be installed

How To Size A Gas Control Valve Example

The following example has been adapted from the Emerson Control Valve Handbook.

We need to size a valve in steam duty.  The required information is given below:

• Design flow rate = 125000 lb/hr = 56689 kg/hr
• Upstream pressure = 500 psig = 35.50 bara
• Downstream pressure = 250 psig = 18.26 bara
• Pressure drop across valve = 250 psi = 17.24 bar
• Upstream steam temperature = 500F
• Density of steam at upstream conditions = 1.0434 lb/ft³ = 16.71 kg/m³
• Steam ratio of specific heat capacities = 1.28
• Pipe size = 6 inch

Calculation

Following the steps given at the start of this article:

1. Design flow rate = 56689 kg/hr
2. Allowable pressure drop across the valve = 17.24 bar
3. We will choose an Emerson 4” ED globe valve with linear cage as the preliminary selection.  From the valve table we can see that the actual Cv is 236 and X_TP is 0.688



4. We will assume that 6” x 4” reducers will be used to install the selected 4” valve in the 6” pipe.  In this case the piping geometry factor is:
   ΣK = 1.5 (1 – (4² / 6²))² = 0.463F_P = [1 + (0.463 / 890)(236 / 4²)²]^-0.5 = 0.95
   The pressure drop ratio factor, X_T = 0.688
   The inlet fittings head loss coefficient is:
   K_i = 0.5 (1 – (4² / 6²))² + 1 – (4 / 6)⁴ = 0.957
   So the modified pressure drop ratio factor is:
   X_TP = 0.688 / 0.95²[1 + 0.688 x 0.957 / 1000 (236 / 4²)²]^-1 = 0.667
5. Check if flow through the valve is sub-critical or critical:
   F_k = 1.28 / 1.4 = 0.91F_k X_TP = 0.91 x 0.667 = 0.607(P₁ – P₂ ) / P₁ = (35.50 – 18.26) / 35.50 = 0.486
   Therefore: (P₁ – P₂ ) / P₁ < F_k X_TP so the flow is sub-critical
6. The effective pressure drop ratio across the valve is (P₁ – P₂ ) / P₁ because the flow is sub-critical:
   X_eff = 0.486
7. Calculate the expansion factor:
   Y = 1 – 0.486 / (3 x 0.91 x 0.667) = 0.733
8. Calculate the first estimate of Cv:
   Cv = 56689 / (27.3 x 0.95 x 0.733 (0.486 x 35.50 x 16.71)^0.5) = 175.6
9. The calculated required Cv of 175.6 is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve of 236 so the valve is large enough
10. Check if the control valve range is OK:
    From the valve table, the selected valve will be a just less 70% open to give the required Cv of 175.6.  This is within the acceptable control range of 10% to 80% of valve opening.
11. The selected 4” linear cage valve is correctly sized for the specified duty

Result

The selected valve is an Emerson 4” ED globe valve with linear trim and a maximum Cv of 236.

Blackmonk Engineering Calculator Result

The output from the Blackmonk Engineering Liquid Control Valve Calculator is attached below for comparison.  As you can see the calculated Cv is virtually identical to the hand calculation (175.4 compared to 175.6).

How To Size A Liquid Control Valve

Sizing a control valve means selecting a valve with the correct size orifice to allow good control of flow rate within a required range.

There are other important factors to consider when selecting a control valve, such as valve type and valve characteristic but this article will concentrate on valve sizing.

Sizing a control valve for a particular duty is governed by the required flow rate the valve must pass and the pressure drop that can be allowed across the valve.

Steps To Accurately Size A Liquid Control Valve

1. Specify the required design flow rate
2. Specify the allowable pressure drop across the valve
3. Choose a valve type and body size from the manufacturers’ tables
4. Calculate the first estimate of the piping geometry factor
5. Determine if the flow through the valve will be sub-critical or critical. That is, will some of the liquid vaporise causing flashing or cavitation?
6. Calculate the effective pressure drop across the valve
7. Calculate the first estimate of the required valve Cv
8. Check that the calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve (re-select suitable valve from manufacturers’ tables if required)
9. Check that valve control range is OK
10. If the Cv and control range are suitable the valve is correctly sized.  If not re-select another valve and repeat the sizing procedure from Step 3

Sizing a control valve accurately is an iterative process requiring manufacturer’s information and knowledge of the piping system in which the valve is to be installed.

However, the procedure is fairly simple and straightforward.  It becomes even easier if it is known that the liquid will not flash or cavitate as it flows through the valve.  For preliminary estimates of control valve size it is usually OK to assume that the piping geometry factor is 1.

Calculate Control Valve Cv

Traditionally, control valves are sized using a special form of the orifice equation which gives the valve orifice size as a “valve flow coefficient” or Cv.

The Cv is defined as the flow rate of water in US gallons per minute that can pass through a valve with a pressure drop of 1 psi at a temperature of 60F.

The equation for calculating the Cv in US units is:

Effective Pressure Drop

The effective pressure drop across a liquid control valve depends on the nature of the liquid flowing through the valve and the valve design.

If the pressures upstream, inside and downstream of the control valve are greater than the vapour pressure of the liquid at the flowing temperature, the effective pressure drop is equal to the actual pressure difference between the upstream and downstream sides of the valve.  In this case, the flow is said to be “sub-critical” and the fluid remains in the liquid phase throughout the system.

In the vast majority of cases it is preferable to maintain sub-critical flow as it reduces valve damage, improves controllability and requires simpler, less expensive valve designs.

However, if the liquid vapour pressure exceeds the system pressure inside or downstream of the valve, vaporisation will occur and the flow will become “critical”.  In this case, the effective pressure drop across the valve will be limited by the valve design and the physical properties of the liquid.  When the flow is “critical”, the pressure downstream of the valve does not affect the flow rate.

The flow is sub-critical if:

For sub-critical flow:

Where:

 For critical flow:

Valve Liquid Pressure Recovery Factor, F_L

The valve liquid pressure recovery factor is the ratio of effective pressure drop to the pressure difference between the upstream pressure and the vena contracta pressure.

The valve liquid pressure recovery factor is usually measured experimentally and is tabulated in valve manufacturers’ catalogues.

Liquid Critical Pressure Ratio Factor, F_F

The liquid critical pressure ratio factor is a means of estimating the pressure at the vena contracta of the valve under critical flow conditions.

Piping Geometry Factor, F_p

The piping geometry factor is an allowance for the pressure drop associated with fittings that may be connected directly upstream and/or downstream of the valve.

If no fittings are connected to the valve, the piping geometry factor is 1.

The piping geometry factor is often listed in valve manufacturers catalogues.  Alternatively, it can be calculated using:

Most commonly, the fittings connected to a control valve are upstream and downstream reducers.  In this case the sum of the fittings factors for the reducers is:

Note:

Determining the control valve Cv becomes an iterative process when the piping geometry factor doesn’t equal 1.

1. Estimate the required Cv
2. Select an appropriate valve from the manufacturers’ tables
3. Calculate F_p using the actual Cv of the selected valve
4. Re-calculate the required Cv using the value of F_p determined in Step 3
5. Check that the re-calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve
6. If the re-calculated Cv is less than the actual Cv, the selected valve is adequately sized
7. If the re-calculated Cv is greater than the actual Cv of the selected valve, select another valve with a larger Cv and return to Step 3 

Control Valve Sizing Rules Of Thumb

There are many rules of thumb designed to help with control valve sizing.  The following guidance is taken from “Rules of Thumb For Chemical Engineers” by Carl Brannan and the author’s personal notes.

1. Set the design flow as the greater of:
   • 1.3 x normal flow rate
   • 1.1 x maximum required flow rate
2. Set the control pressure drop to equal 50% – 60% of the frictional pressure loss of the piping system
3. Limit the maximum flow rate : minimum flow rate turndown to 5:1 for linear trim valves and 10:1 for equal percentage trim valves
4. The valve should be able to control the required range of flow rates between 10% and 80% of valve opening
5. Ideally select a valve that has a body size 1 pipe size smaller than the pipe in which it is to be installed (e.g. select a 3” valve for a 4” pipe)
6. Never select a valve larger than the pipe in which it is to be installed

How To Size A Liquid Control Valve Example

The following example has been adapted from the Emerson Control Valve Handbook.

We need to size a valve in liquid propane duty.  The required information is given below:

• Design flow rate = 800 US gpm
• Upstream pressure = 314.7 psia
• Downstream pressure = 289.7 psia
• Pressure drop across valve = 25 psi
• Liquid temperature = 70F
• Propane specific gravity = 0.5
• Propane vapour pressure = 124.3 psia
• Propane critical pressure = 616.3 psia
• Pipe size = 4 inch

Calculation

Following the steps given at the start of this article:

1. Design flow rate = 800 US gpm
2. Allowable pressure drop across the valve = 25 psi
3. We will choose an Emerson 3” ES globe valve with linear trim as the preliminary selection.  From the valve table we can see that the actual Cv is 135 and F_L is 0.89

 

4. We will assume that 4” x 3” reducers will be used to install the selected 3” valve in the 4” pipe.  In this case the piping geometry factor is:
   ΣK = 1.5 (1 – (3² / 4²))² = 0.287
   F_P = [1 + (0.287 / 890)(135 / 3²)²]^-0.5 = 0.96
5. Check if flow through the valve is sub-critical or critical:
   F_F = 0.96 – 0.28 (124.3 / 616.3) = 0.83
   DP_max = (0.89)² (314.7 – 0.83 x 124.3) = 167.6 psi
   P₁ – P₂ = 314.7 – 289.7 = 25 psi
   Therefore: P₁ – P₂ < DP_max so the flow is sub-critical
6. The effective pressure drop across the valve is P₁ – P₂ because the flow is sub-critical
   DP_eff =25 psi
7. Calculate the first estimate of Cv:
   Cv = (800 / 0.96)(0.5 / 25)^0.5 = 117.9
8. The calculated required Cv of 117.9 is less than the actual Cv of the selected valve of 135 so the valve is large enough
9. Check if the control valve range is OK:
   From the valve table, the selected valve will be about 75% open to give the required Cv of 117.9.  This is within the acceptable control range of 10% to 80% of valve opening.
10. The selected 3” linear trim valve is correctly sized for the specified duty

Result

The selected valve is an Emerson 3” ES globe valve with linear trim and a maximum Cv of 135.

Blackmonk Engineering Calculator Result

The output from the Blackmonk Engineering Liquid Control Valve Calculator is attached below for comparison.  The values used in the example have been converted to metric units.  As you can see the calculated Cv is virtually identical to the hand calculation (118.2 compared to 117.9).

How To Size A Pump

To size a pump, you must define:

• The flow rate of liquid the pump is required to deliver
• The total differential head the pump must generate to deliver the required flow rate

This is the case for all types of pumps: centrifugal or positive displacement.

Other key considerations for pump sizing are the net positive suction head available (NPSHa) and the power required to drive the pump.

Pump System Diagram

Flow Rate

Usually, the flow rate of liquid a pump needs to deliver is determined by the process in which the pump is installed.  This ultimately is defined by the mass and energy balance of the process.

For instance the required flow rate of a pump feeding oil into a refinery distillation column will be determined by how much product the column is required to produce.  Another example is the flow rate of a cooling water pump circulating water through a heat exchanger is defined by the amount of heat transfer required.

Total Differential Head

The total differential head a pump must generate is determined by the flow rate of liquid being pumped and the system through which the liquid flows.

Essentially, the total differential head is made up of 2 components.  The first is the static head across the pump and the second is the frictional head loss through the suction and discharge piping systems.

Total differential head = static head difference + frictional head losses

Static Head Difference

The static head difference across the pump is the difference in head between the discharge static head and the suction static head.

Static head difference = discharge static head – suction static head

Discharge Static Head

The discharge static head is sum of the gas pressure at the surface of the liquid in the discharge vessel (expressed as head rather than pressure) and the difference in elevation between the outlet of the discharge pipe, and the centre line of the pump.

Discharge static head = Discharge vessel gas pressure head + elevation of discharge pipe outlet – elevation of pump centre line

The discharge pipe outlet may be above the surface of the liquid in the discharge vessel or it may be submerged as shown in these 3 diagrams.

Pump Discharge Above Liquid Surface

Submerged Pump Discharge Pipe

Discharge Pipe Enters The Bottom Of The Vessel

Suction Static Head

The suction static head is sum of the gas pressure at the surface of the liquid in the suction vessel (expressed as head rather than pressure) and the difference in elevation between the surface of the liquid in the suction vessel and the centre line of the pump.

Suction static head = Suction vessel gas pressure head + elevation of suction vessel liquid surface – elevation of pump centre line

Note: gas pressure can be converted to head using:
Gas head = gas pressure ÷ (liquid density x acceleration due to gravity)

Pump Suction

Frictional Head Losses

The total frictional head losses in a system are comprised of the frictional losses in the suction piping system and the frictional losses in the discharge piping system.

Frictional head losses = frictional losses in suction piping system + frictional losses in discharge piping system

The frictional losses in the suction and discharge piping systems are the sum of the frictional losses due to the liquid flowing through the pipes, fittings and equipment.  The frictional head losses are usually calculated from the Darcy-Weisbach equation using friction factors and fittings factors to calculate the pressure loss in pipes and fittings.

Darcy-Weisbach equation:

In order to calculate the frictional head losses you therefore need to know the lengths and diameters of the piping in the system and the number and type of fittings such as bends, valves and other equipment.

Net Positive Suction Head Available

The net positive suction head available (NPSHa) is the difference between the absolute pressure at the pump suction and the vapour pressure of the pumped liquid at the pumping temperature.

It is important because for the pump to operate properly, the pressure at the pump suction must exceed the vapour pressure for the pumped fluid to remain liquid in the pump.  If the vapour pressure exceeds the pressure at the pump suction, vapour bubbles will form in the liquid.  This is known as cavitation and leads to a loss of pump efficiency and can result in significant pump damage.

To ensure that the pump operates correctly the net positive suction head available (NPSHa) must exceed the net positive suction head required (NPSHr) for that particular pump.  The NPSHr is given by the pump manufacturer and is often shown on the pump curve.

Net positive suction head available = absolute pressure head at the pump suction – liquid vapour pressure head

Pump Power

Pumps are usually driven by electric motors, diesel engines or steam turbines.  Determining the power required is essential to sizing the pump driver.

Pump power = flow rate x total differential head x liquid density x acceleration due to gravity ÷ pump efficiency

 How To Size A Pump Example

Let’s look at an example to demonstrate how to size a pump.

30000 kg/hr of water needs to be pumped from one vessel to another through the system shown in the diagram below.  The water is at 20C, has a density of 998 kg/m³ , a vapour pressure of 0.023 bara and a viscosity of 1cP.  We’ll assume that the pump efficiency is 70%.

Calculation

The calculation is presented below:

Results

Pump flow rate = 30 m³/hr

Pump total differential head = 134.8 m

Net positive suction head available = 22.13 m

Pump power = 15.7 kW

Pressure Equipment Directive FAQs

6 months ago we published our free “Process Engineers Guide to the Pressure Equipment Directive“.  Since then the guide has been downloaded by readers from all around the world.  Many people have emailed us with further questions related to the PED or have requested help with classifying fluids and categorising equipment, so, based on this feedback we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions and answers to share this knowledge.

If you have more questions, please add them to the list.

1. Does the PED apply to vessels under vacuum?
2. How is a valve classified under the PED?
3. How is a heat exchanger classified under the PED?
4. How should a vessel that contains both a liquid and a gas be classified?
5. Can the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII be used to design pressure vessel to comply with the PED?
6. Where can I find a list of notified bodies?
7. How do I classify a pressure accessory?
8. Is PED classification required if we already have ISO, API or ASME certification?
9. When is equipment required to carry CE marking?
10. Are all dangerous fluids classified as Group 1 fluids?
11. How should a mixture of fluids be classified?
12. Are replacements, repairs or modifications to pressure equipment covered by the PED?
13. Are pipes considered to be “piping” under the PED when they are placed on the market as individual components?
14. Can you give some examples of pressure assemblies?
15. Is on site assembly of pressure equipment by the user covered by the PED?
16. How is the PED enforced in the UK, compared with national legislations in other EU countries?

1. Rating: +4

   

   Does the PED apply to vessels under vacuum?

   Equipment with maximum allowable working pressures of less than 0.5 barg are exempt from the Pressure Equipment Directive. Such equipment should be designed, built and tested to appropriate standards but this equipment is not covered by the PED.

2. Rating: +7

   

   How is a valve classified under the PED?

   Valves are usually classified as pressure accessories. However, the PED category of a valve is usually determined based on the valve nominal diameter in which case the classification charts for piping can be used. If the valve has a significant internal volume, the classification should be carried out using the classification charts for both piping and vessels and the higher category selected.

3. Rating: +2

   

   How is a heat exchanger classified under the PED?

   Heat exchangers are generally considered to be pressure vessels. However, the following type of heat exchanger is treated as piping:
   Heat exchangers consisting of straight or bent pipes which may be connected to common circular headers also made of pipe providing that air is the secondary fluid, they are used in refrigeration systems, in air conditioning systems or in heat pumps and that the piping aspects are predominant.

   For more details see Guideline 2/4

4. Rating: +3

   

   How should a vessel that contains both a liquid and a gas be classified?

   The vessel should be classified on the basis of the fluid which requires the higher category. The total volume of the vessel should be used to determine the category – not the actual volumes occupied by the individual fluids.

5. Rating: +1

   

   Can the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code Section VIII be used to design pressure vessel to comply with the PED?

   National standards and professional codes (including ASME VIII) can be used for the design and manufacture of pressure equipment. However, a notified body may be required to validate the selected approach if the equipment is categorised as Category II, III or IV.
   See Guideline 9/5

6. Rating: -1

   

   Where can I find a list of notified bodies?

   A list of all EU approved notified bodies is given here: Notified Bodies

7. Rating: +1

   

   How do I classify a pressure accessory?

   A pressure accessory should be classified based on its characteristic dimension – diameter or volume. If both diameter and volume are relevant, the equipment should be classified according to whichever gives the higher category.

   For example, a valve is usually classified using diameter as the characteristic dimension whereas a filter is usually classified using volume as the characteristic dimension.

8. Rating: +0

   

   Is PED classification required if we already have ISO, API or ASME certification?

   PED classification is required in addition to other certification.

9. Rating: -1

   

   When is equipment required to carry CE marking?

   The PED requires equipment that is classified as Category I, Category II, Category III and Category IV to carry CE marking. Equipment classified as SEP must not carry CE marking.

10. Rating: -2

    

    Are all dangerous fluids classified as Group 1 fluids?

    No. Only fluids classified as:
    • Explosive
    • Extremely flammable
    • Highly flammable
    • Very toxic
    • Toxic
    • Oxidising

11. Rating: +2

    

    How should a mixture of fluids be classified?

    If a mixture of fluids contains at least one Group 1 fluid, the mixture should be classified as a Group 1 fluid. The exception to this is if the safety datasheet for the mixture allows it to be classified as a Group 2 fluid.

12. Rating: +3

    

    Are replacements, repairs or modifications to pressure equipment covered by the PED?

    Complete replacement of an item of pressure equipment by a new one is covered by the PED.

    Repairs are not covered by the PED but may be covered by national regulations.

    Pressure equipment that has been modified to change its original characteristics, purpose and/or type after it has been put into service is covered by the PED.

13. Rating: +4

    

    Are pipes considered to be “piping” under the PED when they are placed on the market as individual components?

    Individual piping components such as pipes, tubing, fittings, expansion bellows or other pressure bearing components are not considered to be “piping” under the PED until they are assembled into a system. However, a single pipe or system of pipes for a specific application can be classed as “piping” under the PED if all appropriate manufacturing operations such as bending, forming, flanging and heat treatment have been completed.

    On this basis, PED classification of general piping stock would not be carried out by the piping supplier. The pipes and components would be classified by the organisation responsible for the “manufacture” of the piping system.

14. Rating: +0

    

    Can you give some examples of pressure assemblies?

    Examples of pressure assemblies given in the PED guidelines include pressure cookers, portable extinguishers, breathing apparatus, skid mounted systems, autoclaves; air conditioner, compressed air supply in a factory, refrigerating system, shell boilers, water tube boilers, distillation, evaporation or filtering units in process plants, oil heating furnaces.

15. Rating: -2

    

    Is on site assembly of pressure equipment by the user covered by the PED?

    Pressure equipment assembled on site under the responsibility of the user is not covered by the PED. Usually the separate components of the system being assembled by the user – such as pressure vessels, valves, piping systems – are covered by the PED. The completion of pressure assemblies on site by the manufacturer is covered by the PED.

16. Rating: +0

    

    How is the PED enforced in the UK, compared with national legislations in other EU countries?

    The PED is enforced in the UK by the Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999. These regulations make compliance with the Pressure Equipment Directive a legal requirement in the UK. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in prosecution and penalties on conviction of a fine, imprisonment or both. Similar legislation has been enacted in all member states of the European Economic Area.

    The central purpose of the PED is to harmonise the national laws of the member states regarding the design, manufacture, testing and conformity assessment of pressure equipment and to remove technical barriers to trade. Therefore, compliance with the PED under any member state's legislation entitles a manufacturer to sell pressure equipment throughout the European Economic Area.

Overall Heat Transfer Coefficients

To carry out quick heat exchanger calculations, an estimate of the overall heat transfer coefficient usually needs to be made.  Some typical values for the overall heat transfer coefficient for a variety of different types of heat exchanger are listed below.

The values can be used in the Blackmonk Heat Exchanger Calculator.

The reference values have been taken from Coulson & Richardson’s Chemical Engineering Vol. 6, 3rd Edition, R K Sinnot.

Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers

Shell & Tube Coolers

Shell & Tube Heaters

Shell & Tube Condensers

Shell & Tube Vaporisers

Air-Cooled Exchangers

Immersed Coils – Natural Circulation

Immersed Coils – Agitated

Jacketed Vessels

Plate Heat Exchangers

Web-Based Process Calculators Released

We are pleased to announce that our first collection of web-based process calculators has just been released.

The calculators are available to use right now.  We’re even offering a 1 month trial for only £1 to all subscribers complete with a 30 day money back guarantee.

To find out more and get access to the full collection of calculators click here.

Free Pressure Equipment Directive Guide

Sign up for the free Pressure Equipment Directive guide

Over the last couple of years I’ve worked on a number of projects that have involved the European Union Pressure Equipment Directive (or PED as it’s sometime known).  The Directive is legislation which aims to ensure that pressure equipment used within the EU is safe.  For the process industries, this most often means vessels and piping.

A key part of complying with the PED is to ensure that equipment has been classified correctly.  Basically this classification categorises equipment according to the degree of hazard should the equipment fail.  Equipment in the most hazardous applications, for instance large vessels containing toxic or flammable gases at high pressure, is required to have extensive quality assurance procedures throughout the design, manufacture and testing stages.  Equipment in low hazard applications, such as a small storage vessel for water at low pressure, has less onerous quality assurance requirements.

In the projects I’ve been involved with, equipment classification has been the responsibilty of the process engineers although the information is required by the other disciplines, especially piping and control/instrumentation engineers.  Higher classification requirements also tend to affect equipment cost and delivery, so project managers also have a keen interest!

Given that the PED is a legal requirement, along with potential cost and delivery implications, it is essential that equipment classification is carried out thoroughly and accurately.  To help you classify equipment correctly, I have written a free guide to the Pressure Equipment Directive which is available to download to all Blackmonk email subscribers.

To get your free copy just enter your name and email details into the boxes above or on the right hand side of this page.

I hope you find the guide useful and would appreciate any comments you might have.

Regards,

Simon.

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Blackmonk Engineering has been approved as a registered supplier on the Business Link North East England Service Providers Register.  This means that our customers could be eligible for up to 80% funding for qualifying projects.  To find out more please contact us.

Updated Website

We’ve been updating our website over the past couple of weeks to make it more user friendly.  We hope you like it.  Comments can now be left directly via the site on various pages and the navigation has been improved.  The free calculators are still there and now they should be easier to find!

In addition we’ve added a blog where we’ll be writing articles relevant to those of us in the process industries.

As always, we would appreciate your feedback on the new website.

Best regards,

Simon.