Valve Flow Coefficient Cv / Kv

Valve flow coefficient, abbreviated as Cv (in the United States) or Kv (in Europe), is a numerical value used to quantify the flow capacity of a valve or other fluid control device.  It is a parameter in fluid dynamics and is used to describe how well a valve can control the flow of a fluid, typically a liquid or gas.  The Cv/Kv value is important in various industries, including manufacturing, chemical processing, HVAC, and more.

Valve manufacturers provide Cv or Kv values for their products to help engineers and users select the appropriate valve for a specific application, ensuring that the valve can provide the desired flow rate and control characteristics.  This information is essential for designing systems where precise control of fluid flow is required, such as in regulating the flow of water, steam, gases, or other fluids in various industrial processes.

Valve Flow Coefficient CV / flow Factor KV Formula
\( C_v \;=\;   Q  \sqrt{ SG \;/\; \Delta P } \)     (Valve Flow Coefficient Cv) \( Q \;=\;   \sqrt{ C_v^2 \; \Delta P \;/\; SQ } \) \( SG \;=\; C_v^2 \; \Delta P \;/\; Q^2 \) \( \Delta P \;=\; SG \; C_v^2 \;/\; Q^2 \) \( K_v \;=\;   Q  \sqrt{ SG \;/\; \Delta P } \)     (Valve Flow Factor Kv)
Symbol	English	Metric
\( C_v \) = Valve Flow Coefficient (US units)	\( gpm \)	-
\( K_v \) = Valve Flow Factor (SI units)	-	\(m^3 \;/\; h\)
\( Q \) = Valve Flow Rate	\( gpm \)	\(m^3 \;/\; h\)
\( SG \) = Liquid Specific Gravity (Water at 60°F = 1.0000)	\( dimensionless \)	\( dimensionless \)
\( \Delta P \) = Valve Pressure Differential	\(lbf \;/\;in^2\)	\(N \;/\; m^2\)