Flow Control Valves
Flow Control Valves allow the user to set a flow rate in a particular pipe. Pipe Flow Expert removes the pipe from the system and sets an Out-flow demand at the ‘From node’ and an equal In-flow demand at the ‘To node’. Thus the pipe is replaced by these flow demands while the system is being solved.
No other pipe which connects to a pipe with a Flow Control Valve fitted can contain a control valve (FCV, PRV or BPV).
Figure 144 Flow Control Valve replacement
The pressure difference between the ‘From node’ and the ‘To node’ must equal the pressure loss introduced by the flow control valve plus the pressure loss that the flow in the pipe will produce, plus the pressure loss that any other component on the pipe produces. The system balance will be maintained when the pipe is reinstated along with the pressure loss introduced by the flow control valve.
If the pressure difference between the ‘From node’ and the ‘To node’ is not great enough then the pressure loss in the pipe and the flow control valve pressure loss cannot be set. A warning will be displayed that the pressure in the pipe is not sufficient to deliver the set flow.