Taking The Mystery Out Of Cavitation

By Brad Clarke and Kari Oksanen, Singer Valve Inc.

Cavitation can be an extremely damaging force as related to the application of pilot-operated automatic control valves. The consequences of cavitation are numerous and can include: loud noise, extreme vibrations, choked flow, destruction or erosion of control valves and their components resulting in disruption of water distribution or plant shutdown.

This white paper will deal with cavitation solutions as they relate to valves and specifically pilot-operated automatic control valves. A high level description of what causes cavitation and the associated impacts will be covered. Typical occurrences of cavitation and consequences will also be discussed in some detail. A brief history of cavitation solutions will be explored so an understanding of past practices will be fully understood. An overview of products addressing cavitation (anti-cavitation trim) will be explored and will cover body design and understanding Cv values as applied to full port and reduced port valves. The benefits of anti-cavitation trim are explored in some detail with sub-topics such as noise reduction. Finally numerous typical applications will be covered to explain where anti-cavitation trim will eliminate or substantially reduce the normal impacts of cavitation.

This white paper is primarily written for municipal planners, engineers, and consultants who are involved with the process of selecting the appropriate solution for solving high pressure drop problems.