Development of a High-Performance Choke Valve with Reference to Sizing for Multiphase Flow

Abstract

The paper describes events leading up to the development of a variable choke valve for high-pressure drop service on multiphase fluids. During the evolvement of the design, which has now been proved in service, it was found necessary to discard some of the accepted precepts and conventions of control valve design. This work also led to an investigation into the various methods of sizing valves for multiphase fluids. The results obtained from available methods were compared and a new method was devised which appears to maintain a higher level of accuracy over a wide range of multiphase flow conditions.