Cavitation in Butterfly Valves

Tests made at Colorado State University have resulted in a generalization of cavitation data making them useful in developing pipeline designs utilizing butterfly valves as controls. Related cavitation design criteria evolved from the tests and the cavitation parameters considered in developing designs for water systems in which butterfly valves are used are presented. Methods for defining capacity and specific degrees of cavitation intensity (incipient, critical, and choking or supercavitation) and for evaluating cavitation design limits are given. The importance of scale effects related to system pressure and size of valve is stressed and procedures for adjusting these scale effects are outlined. The cavitation characteristics of butterfly valves have been generalized and an example of the application of these data to the design of water conveyance systems is offered.