- What is Choked Flow in Control Valves?
- Choked Flow Formula (ISA Standard)
- Why does choked flow occur in the control valve applications?
- Issues and misunderstandings in choked flow:
- Difference Between Choked Flow, Cavitation, and Flashing
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Choked Flow in a Control valve
Choked flow in control valves is a critical fluid dynamic condition where the flow rate reaches a maximum limit and cannot increase despite further reduction in downstream pressure. This phenomenon, also known as critical flow, occurs due to velocity limitation in gases or vapor formation in liquids. Understanding choked flow is essential for proper valve sizing, preventing cavitation, and ensuring safe industrial operation.
What is Choked Flow in Control Valves?
Choked flow occurs when the fluid velocity reaches its maximum limit, restricting further increase in flow rate even if downstream pressure decreases. In gases, this happens when velocity reaches sonic speed, while in liquids, it occurs due to vapor formation at vena contracta.
The choked flow is a compressible flow effect.The choked flow is the dynamic condition of the fluid that is associated with the venturi effect.The fluid velocity will increase when the fluid at a given parameter flows through the constriction called convergent and divergent nozzle in a pipe or line into a lower pressure environment.
In control valve applications the choked flow is commonly known as critical flow.
This choked flow in the valve occurs when the pressure drop increases across the valve, so the flow rate cannot be increased. If the inlet pressure (P1) and flow area in the valve are fixed,
The flow rate through the control valve will increase as the downstream pressure (P2) decreases. The graph below illustrates the relationship between flow Q and pressure drop across the control valve ?P.
The Ideal line or linear in above figure indicates this point, to represent how the liquid flow will rise linearly when plotted against the square root of the differential pressure across the valve divided by its specific gravity.
Ideally the flow rate through the control valve is proportional to the pressure drop across the valve.
It means as the pressure drop across the valve increases the flow rate also increases and vice versa. Due to choked flow in the control valve the maximum flow rate through the valve will be limited.
In fact, the maximum flow rate of fluid through the control valve can never rise above the choked flow limit. But at this point the flow will not increase on reduction in pressure P2.
This condition is similar to the valves when used for gas service. If the flow area and pressure P1 are kept constant, the flow rate through the valve gets raised on reduction of pressure P2.
But at some point, the choking occurs and the flow rate will not rise regardless of the value of P2.
In liquid applications, the control valve capacity is limited if the pressure is less enough to cause flashing and cavitation.
For gases and vapors applications, the control valve capacity is limited if the gases and vapors velocity ranges to sonic velocity.
To understand these conditions, we look at the normal pressure to flow relationship for a control valve and see when choked or critical flow conditions occur. The basic relationship between flow and pressure in a control valve is given by:
The choked flow is set for a liquid when vapor formation occurs at the point of vena contracta within the valve.The differential pressure (?P) across the valve is increased as the flow reaches the choked flow point where there is no increase in flow rate with a change in ?P.
Vapor formation in liquid flow is generally termed flashing (see how flashing takes place in a control valve) and it results in a vapor stream or bubbles continuing downstream from the valve. If the vapor bubbles are again condensed, this transient effect is described as cavitation.
Choked Flow Formula (ISA Standard)
Gas critical pressure ratio:
P2 / P1 ≤ 0.528 (for air)
For most gases, choked flow occurs when downstream pressure drops below about 50–60% of upstream pressure.
Liquid choked flow condition:
Choking occurs when vena contracta pressure falls below vapor pressure.
Basic valve flow equation:
Q = Cv √(ΔP / SG)
According to ISA standards (ISA S75), choked flow depends on pressure drop ratio, valve recovery factor (FL), and critical pressure ratio factor (FF), which determine the maximum flow capacity of the valve.
Why does choked flow occur in the control valve applications?
For liquid applications, choking is a result of the reduction in pressure through the control elements. The figure below indicates the instantaneous pressure as liquid flows through the control valve.
The control area like the cage or the area around the plug and seat is lesser than the inlet and outlet cross-sectional areas of a control valve.Because the total flow rate of fluid is the same at every location of the valve.
The fluid velocity must be sufficiently large in the reduced area like vena contracta for the same flow rate.
The typical pressure curve of a cavitating liquid passing through a control valve is shown in the above graph. The expanding vapor will create a pressure drop for further reduction in P2.
Bernoulli’s law states that,
“The total energy remains constant at every point in the flow stream”.
As the fluid passes through the restriction, the pressure is reduced when the fluid velocity is increased. The flow rate of the fluid is reduced when the fluid enters the wider piping and the same pressure is recovered.
When the liquid starts boiling the vapor bubbles will form. When spontaneous pressure in the vena contracta falls below the vapor pressure.The volume of the fluid is now increased when converted to a vapor state and starts to restrict the flow.
If the output pressure is again reduced, then the volume of vapor rises to some point such that the flow scalability can’t increase. Despite the reduction in downstream pressure.
In gas applications, when the gas vapor velocity through the valve increases the gas vapor will reach its sonic velocity.Due to the standing shock waveform, the flow rate is limited hence the gas vapor cannot flow faster.And the further reduction in output pressure doesn’t affect the flow rate through the valve.
In higher flow rates the choked vapor flow conditions are most common in relief and control valves.
In a vacuum system, the choked flow is most common, because air with low pressures reduces the sound speed.
Volumetric flow and mass flow through the control valve for liquid application:
The choked flow through the valve is a limiting flow rate. When the vapor pressure of the liquid rises above the vapor pressure within the valve, choking occurs as a result of the vaporization of the liquid.Under normal flow conditions, both volumetric and mass flow through a control valve is given by:
In control valves, the choked flow is referred to as a subject of serious concern for industrial applications. The term “Choked”is typically associated with destructive or harmful process conditions that may damage the valve internals.
Issues and misunderstandings in choked flow:
The control valve is not damaged by the choked flow alone, here are some conditions commonly associated with the choked flow.
1. Noise levels:
The choked flow in the valve doesn’t create a noise directly, during choked flow the cavitation is present in liquid systems, which creates noise and damages the valve. The cavitation in the valve transforms to flashing on reduction of downstream pressure. But the flashing effect has noise reduced due to two-phase flow.
In vapor flow, the noise increases remarkably as the velocity turns to sonic. The extra energy is now transformed to sound when the downstream pressure in the valve reduces. The pressure drop in the valve generates sound levels higher than 100dB.
2. Flashing and cavitation:
The flashing conditions are most required in choked flow.But the choked flow will occur only in cavitating conditions. Cavitation occurs when the pressure P2 rises above the vapor pressure of the liquid. The vapor bubbles start collapsing and turn back to the liquid state. If the pressure P2 remains below the vapor pressure, the liquid starts boiling forming vapor and it passes through the valve.
3. Valve damage due to choking:
Some assumptions create that choked flow conditions may damage the valve. But sometimes the valve damage is minimum for the valve when choked, and valve damage is significant for the valve when not choked.The valve may get damaged by cavitation.
The vapor bubbles form micro jets after collapsing and create localized shock waves that destroy the valve internals and downstream side of the pipeline.
Note that the valve damage is less in flashing compared to cavitation.
The above graph shows the pressures at vena contracta for the high recovery ball valve or butterfly valve versus a low recovery globe valve for particular operating conditions.
The high recovery ball or butterfly valve creates lower internal pressures. High vibration and metal fatigue make excessive noise and damage the valve.
The rate of noise varies with process conditions. The noise is not associated with flow choking.
By specifying appropriate valve body designs the cavitation, flashing, and noise can be reduced and eliminated, using special valve trims, and materials of construction.
4. Valve sizing:
The choked flow scheme for a particular position of the valve is based on the parameter of the flowing media and its process conditions.The choked valve for the unique parameters can allow for a higher flow rate by increasing the Cv of the valve.The conditions of choked flow in the valve can be predicted by some software programs. And can estimate the maximum flow rate.
Difference Between Choked Flow, Cavitation, and Flashing
| Parameter | Choked Flow | Cavitation | Flashing |
| Definition | Flow reaches a maximum limit where further decrease in downstream pressure does not increase flow rate | Formation and collapse of vapor bubbles due to pressure fluctuations | Liquid permanently converts into vapor when pressure remains below vapor pressure |
| Basic Phenomenon | Flow limitation due to velocity (gas) or vapor formation (liquid) | Two-phase flow with bubble collapse | Two-phase flow without bubble collapse |
| Cause | Excessive pressure drop causing velocity limit or vapor formation at vena contracta | Pressure drops below vapor pressure and then recovers above it | Pressure drops below vapor pressure and does not recover |
| Pressure Behavior | Downstream pressure reduction no longer increases flow | Pressure drops below vapor pressure then rises again | Pressure drops below vapor pressure and stays below |
| Flow Behavior | Flow rate becomes constant (no further increase) | Flow fluctuates due to bubble collapse | Flow remains relatively steady after vapor formation |
| Velocity Condition | Sonic velocity reached in gases (Mach 1) | High velocity with pressure recovery | High velocity with continuous vapor phase |
| Location of Occurrence | At vena contracta inside valve | Near vena contracta and downstream | Starts at vena contracta and continues downstream |
| Bubble Behavior | Vapor bubbles may form but do not control flow after choking | Bubbles form and violently collapse | Bubbles form and do not collapse |
| Noise Generation | Not directly noisy, but gas choking can create high noise | Very high noise due to bubble implosion | Low noise due to cushioning vapor phase |
| Vibration | Moderate (depends on flow conditions) | Severe vibration due to shock waves | Low to moderate vibration |
| Damage Level | Not always damaging by itself | Highly destructive (pitting, erosion) | Moderate damage due to erosion |
| Valve Impact | Limits valve capacity | Causes severe trim and body damage | Causes erosion but less severe than cavitation |
| Flow Increase After Condition | No increase even if pressure drop increases | Unstable flow behavior | Flow remains constant |
| Relationship with Each Other | May occur with cavitation or flashing | Can lead to choked flow at high intensity | May or may not result in choked flow |
| Industrial Concern Level | Medium (design limitation) | Very high (equipment damage risk) | Medium (material wear issue) |
| Typical Applications | Gas valves, steam systems, relief valves | High-pressure liquid control systems | Low-pressure liquid systems, downstream of valves |
| Prevention Methods | Proper valve sizing, pressure control | Anti-cavitation trim, staged pressure drop | Material selection, erosion-resistant trims |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in Choked Flow in a Control valve
What is choked flow in a control valve?
Choked flow in a control valve occurs when the fluid velocity reaches a maximum limit, and further reduction in downstream pressure does not increase flow rate. It is also called critical flow. This condition limits valve capacity and affects system performance.
What is a choke valve used for?
A choke valve is used to control and restrict fluid flow, especially in high-pressure systems like oil and gas pipelines. It helps regulate pressure and flow rate. It is commonly used in wellheads and process industries.
What happens when you have choked flow?
When choked flow occurs, the flow rate becomes constant even if downstream pressure decreases further. In gases, velocity reaches sonic speed, and in liquids, vapor formation occurs. This limits system capacity and may lead to cavitation or noise.
What is the difference between choked flow and cavitation?
Choked flow is a flow limitation condition where maximum flow is reached, while cavitation involves the formation and collapse of vapor bubbles. Cavitation causes damage and noise. Choked flow does not always cause damage unless cavitation is present.
What is the rule of thumb for choked flow?
A common rule of thumb is that choked flow occurs when downstream pressure drops below a critical ratio of upstream pressure. For gases, this is typically around 0.5–0.6 of inlet pressure. Beyond this point, flow cannot increase further.
