There is no common agreement on the use of balance valves in the most popular variable water flow systems. A comprehensive theoretical analysis has been conducted to investigate the impacts of balance valves on initial cost, pump operation power, and system control performance. The investigation finds that eliminating balance valves can (i) reduce by 20–40% pump energy consumption in a typical variable flow water system, (ii) reduce the maximum pressure drop across control valves, and (iii) improve pump efficiency at most partial load conditions. The reduced pressure drops across control valves improve system control performance and may allow selecting some control valves at lower close-off pressures. Consequently, eliminating balancing valves can also potentially reduce system initial cost.
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August 2006
Technical Briefs
Impacts of Balancing Valves on Pump Energy and Control Performance in Variable Water Flow Systems
B. Zheng
Energy Systems Laboratory,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
, Omaha, NE 68182
M. Liu
Energy Systems Laboratory,
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
, Omaha, NE 68182J. Sol. Energy Eng. Aug 2006, 128(3): 414-417 (4 pages)
Published Online: July 30, 2005
Article history
Received:
April 28, 2004
Revised:
July 30, 2005
Citation
Zheng, B., and Liu, M. (July 30, 2005). "Impacts of Balancing Valves on Pump Energy and Control Performance in Variable Water Flow Systems." ASME. J. Sol. Energy Eng. August 2006; 128(3): 414–417. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2189862
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