How to model deluge valves in Spray/Sprinkler module
There may be cases when the manufacturer gives a Cv value for the valve and an engineer needs to convert it to a K-Factor in order to model it in PIPENET Spray/Sprinkler module.
There are different ways of modelling deluge valves in PIPENET Spray/Sprinkler module.
METHOD 1: Use the deluge valve model in PIPENET
Using this model will require the input of the K-factor and X-factor, where X is a constant for the valve (typical values are 1 or 2). It is worth mentioning that this model is present in PIPENET largely for historical reasons. Other models are more commonly used today.
Assuming that we set X = 2, the conversion of Cv to K is quite simple. The below is extracted from the ‘Help Text’ of PIPENET:
METHOD 2: Replacing the deluge valve by its equivalent length
You can replace the deluge valve by its equivalent length. This is probably the most commonly used method. You can add an ‘Equipment item’ to a pipe and set its equivalent length. Please see below.
METHOD 3: Using a general pressure loss component
This can be used if the pressure drop against the flowrate is known as a table or a graph.
You can set up a general pressure loss component in the library and use it in the network. The pressure losses at different flowrates are entered into a table. It can also be entered directly as the pressure loss at a known flowrate and also the power (usually 2).
General Pressure Loss Component entered into a library:
Pressure loss at a known flowrate: