ERHARD Needle Valve Brochure
ERHARD Needle Valve Brochure
ERHARD Needle Valve Brochure
ERHARD
needle valves
Needle valves
for safe and exact control
Needle valves are the suitable valve to use whenever pressure heads or flow
rates need to be safely and reliably reduced and controlled. They are used for
two main tasks:
By restricting the cross-section, a change in flow rate, flow velocity and
pressure is forced, which results to higher stress in the valve. The valve must
therefore be designed so that potential cavitation cannot cause any damage
whatsoever.
To be able to control the pressure and flow precisely and finely, the control
valves control characteristics must be as linear as possible over the whole
opening range.
Thanks to their well thought out design, ERHARD needle valves fulfil these
requirements to the greatest possible degree and are therefore the ideal valve
for numerous control tasks. Because even if butterfly valves and gate valves
All the components of the ERHARD RKV
are used for such tasks in individual cases in practice, due to their design as
an optimum shut-off device for OPEN/CLOSED operation, but they are not
International standards, approvals and test regulations set the highest quality
requirements.
The increased cost of energy requires optimum flow performance with
minimum pressure losses to ensure economic operation.
And last but not least, long life valves and low maintenance costs ensure
that the personnel costs necessary for operation are minimised. After all,
nowadays, all the costs incurred over the whole life of the valve (life cycle
costs) play a decisive role in the choice of product.
... and the solutions from ERHARD
The wide range of ERHARD needle valves fills these requirements in a particular way. They are especially suitable for drinking water, raw water and air. Their
typical applications include use as:
Pump start-up and control valve
Reservoir inlet
Control device in the bottom outlet valve of dams (with or without venting)
Control device in the inlet and bypass of turbines
Safety device in the bypass outlet of turbines for quick opening
Control and simultaneous safety device in pipe systems (e. g. pump pressure
pipes)
Innovative and customer-focused product development, state of the art
engineering, production and assembly technology and continuous quality
assurance throughout take place at ERHARD, concentrated in one location for
top quality Made in Germany before, during and after installation.
1
7
2
5
4
6
3
No.
1
Advantage
Property
10
characteristics
12
characteristic curve
3
special applications
situations
actuators
11
8 and 12
Proven engineering
for diverse tasks
Needle valves have been part of ERHARDs extensive product range for more
than 100 years. This experience is reflected in thousands of installed valves
which have proven their worth in daily use. Product innovations developed by
ERHARD have therefore often been copied and today form the standard in the
needle valve market. But only the combination of well thought through details
and decades development, production, installation and maintenance experience
results in the perfect original, the ERHARD RKV needle valve.
Improper continuous use of butterfly valves
as a control valve can result in dramatic
material damage, as in this valve opened by
5 after a year in seawater.
50 % ffnung
100 % ffnung
The design of the ERHARD RKV needle valve ensures a ring-shaped cross-section in every piston
position and therefore safe, reliable energy conversion in the middle of the valve, which significantly
minimises the effects of cavitation.
enormous cavitation and impelling forces can result in damage. Your ERHARD
team will provide you with competent and comprehensive design advice.
Constricted version (RKVE)
In special installation situations, apart from the standard type, a constricted
version can also be used, whose nominal size is smaller than the nominal size
of the pipe positioned upstream of it and which is realised with correspondingly
shorter face-to-face dimension. If high pressure ratings have to be dissipated,
without the focus being on maximum flow, or if confined space conditions exist,
this version is also an economically interesting option.
occur do not come anywhere near the wall, but instead are bundled together
to form a pigtail in the middle of the pipe. There they are dissipated without
causing any damage. Vaned ring are used for average pressure differences and
in back-pressure.
Vaned ring
Slotted cylinder
Perforated cylinder
Slotted cylinder
Slotted cylinders, on the other hand, are the suitable design for high pressure
differences. This attachment extends the end piston in a similar way to a pipe
and is especially designed to the specific operating conditions. The water jets
flowing from the outside to the inside through the slots are split up at the slots
and reach a high velocity. Then, in the material free centre of the cylinder, they
collide with the jets emerging from the slots on the opposite side. On collision
part of the kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy. The cavitation bubbles occurring at the slots and dragged along with the jets are dissipated by
this increase in pressure in the centre of the flow without causing any damage.
Perforated cylinder
The perforated cylinder, which functions in the same way as the slotted cylinder
but has higher zeta values, is also suitable for high pressure differences.
Other control inserts available
Special slotted cylinder
Special perforated cylinder
Throttle ring especially for energy recovery systems
Control attachments for pump test rig
Control inserts for bottom outlets
All ERHARD RKV needle valves are coated with ERHARD EKB fusion bonded
epoxy as a standard feature. This epoxy plastic coating, applied using powder
coating methods, is one of the most frequently used corrosion protection methods. The cast parts are first shot-blasted with special granulate to make them
metallically bright [1]. The coating is then applied with a precisely defined thickness in the electrostatic power station and is fusion bonded at 210C.
The standard coat thickness is at least 250 m, coat thicknesses up to 500 m
are possible. The plant operates with state of the art technology and fulfils the
test conditions of the GSK Quality Association for Heavy Duty Corrosion Protection of Powder Coated Valves and Fittings with quality assurance RAL-GZ
662. ERHARD EKB fusion bonded epoxy is applied to large valves using a wet
method and two coats: The electrostatic wet coating with low-solvent 2-component epoxy plastic is applied to a cathodic basic protection (primer) [2]. The
final cross-linking to produce heavy-duty corrosion protection in accordance
with DIN30677-2 takes place in the heat channel. ERHARD EKB fusion bonded
epoxy is physiologically safe for drinking water and, for example, has confirmed
test certificates from the DVGW-Forschungsstelle TZW Karlsruhe, the Hygiene
institut Gelsenkirchen and the WRAS (WRc) in Great Britain.
Other special coatings are available for particular requirements, e. g. EPC
coating (epoxy polymer ceramic) with ceramic reinforcing fillers, particularly
suitable for abrasive media or seawater.
An ERHARD needle valve with ingenious control engineering was installed in the secondary turbine
outlet during the modernisation of a River Danube power station. The valve operates autonomously
via its own medium control and if the turbines are shut down, pressure surges and therefore risk to
the plant are reliably avoided.
In storage operation of large drinking water supply plants, geodetic energy is often available virtually free of charge. Reliable valves suitable for use with drinking water are necessary in the parts
of the plant in which energy recovery is possible. An example of the use of ERHARD valves for
these application cases is a needle valve DN 600 PN 16 with weight-loaded hydraulic actuator and
magnetic clutch. Up to 1,200 l/s have to be safely controlled upstream of the turbine and must be
stopped reliably and without surges if the turbine is shut down. In this application case, ERHARD
proves to be a competent partner for the project planning and design of valves.
Numerous practical tests and series of measurements in the ERHARD test centre and simulations
of the flow performance with state of the art 3D CAD systems confirmed the optimised flow pattern.
At the same time, the hydraulic characteristics were determined and continuous tests were performed. Due to high-precision production, these values can then be realised in practice too.
The main seal, up to 20 mm wide, sits on the piston outside the zone at risk of cavitation and is
embedded, corrosion-proof, in stainless steel.
ing element has been added, which contributes to optimisation of the corrosion
protection and at the same time additionally helps to prevent stagnant water.
18%, the ERHARD RKV Premium needle valve can be precisely controlled from
4% opening. It therefore enables optimum control of even the smallest quantities without critical annular clearance and a large control range of up to 96 %.
The optimised control performance is also assisted by the ERHARD SKG slider
crank mechanism, used as a standard, which has an optimally adjusted characteristic torque curve and therefore supplies the suitable torque in every opening
angle. A slower closing speed near the closed position enables extremely soft
closing and eliminates the risk of pressure surges.
D
D
PN 10 PN 16
RKV Premium PN 10/16/25
100
325
220
125
325
250
150
350
285
200
400
340
340
250
450
400
400
300
500
455
455
RKV PN 40
100
325
125
325
150
350
200
400
250
450
300
500
RKV PN 10/16/25
350
700
505
520
400
800
565
580
450
900
615
640
500
1000
670
715
600
1200
780
840
700
1400
895
910
800
1600
1015
1025
900
1800
1115
1125
1000
2000
1230
1255
1200
2400
1455
1485
RKVE PN 10/16/25
500
800
670
715
600
900
780
840
700
1100
895
910
800
1300
1015
1025
900
1350
1115
1125
1000
1600
1230
1255
1200
1620
1455
1485
D
PN 25
D
PN 40
h1
h2
h3
HR
h3
EA
e1
e2
e3
G
10
G
16
G
25/40
235
270
300
360
425
485
142
142
158
195
234
266
187
187
203
248
296
322
222
222
222
244
314
314
154
154
144
165
233
233
99
99
116
152
188
224
214
214
231
288
365
402
29
29
48
64
80
101
15
15
15
20
25
25
60
60
75
120
190
260
60
60
75
120
190
260
60
60
75
120
190
260
235
270
300
375
450
515
142
142
158
195
234
266
183
183
198
243
290
322
250
250
260
260
310
310
215
215
225
225
272
272
118
135
150
188
225
258
205
205
225
265
322
357
30
30
45
65
80
100
32
32
32
32
32
32
555
620
670
730
845
960
1085
1185
1320
1530
280
310
340
380
460
535
610
700
785
950
342
372
411
451
550
644
719
828
932
1118
360
365
404
409
517
566
571
531
531
570
292
297
331
336
416
465
470
430
430
465
280
310
335
370
440
510
585
655
735
870
420
460
510
545
640
720
800
860
950
1110
67
65
72
98
84
86
81
112
120
120
43
42
36
43
43
57
52
58
60
78
730
845
960
1085
1185
1320
1530
310
380
460
535
610
700
785
372
451
550
644
719
828
932
297
336
416
465
470
430
430
310
310
440
510
585
655
735
460
545
640
720
800
860
950
65
98
84
86
81
112
120
42
43
43
57
52
58
60
59
59
73
117
188
262
425
570
780
875
1660
2125
3250
4250
5650
8200
450
595
826
945
1780
2175
3295
4310
5750
8350
450
595
826
945
1780
2265
3445
4500
6000
8500
595
1065
1930
2465
3695
4800
6800
This table contains the dimensions of the standard products in the ERHARD needle valve range. Numerous other designs
are available on request for higher pressure ratings or nominal sizes.
Dimensions used:
L
HR
with handwheel
[mm] Flange
EA
e1
h2
e1
h3
h2
h3
D
h1
h1
e2
e2
e3
In a drinking water project in the United Arab Emirates, 380,000 m extremely precious drinking
water are distributed into desert regions daily. The net includes a 180 km pipeline, in which more
than 500 ERHARD valves DN 200 to DN 1600 are used, including 32 ERHARD needle valves (DN 700,
pump bypass 56 bar, pressure release) with all kinds of different tasks. An especially adapted version in seawater desalination plants ensures continuous, fault-free operation. A task which involves
very high standards for the design of the valve.
Apart from their use in the drinking water sector, needle valves are also used in the wastewater
sector, e. g. for aeration control in a wastewater treatment plant.
transition to the pipe nominal size with abrupt extension flanges, which we
required:
Flow rates Qmax. and Qmin.
Pressure p1 upstream of the valve at
Qmax. and Qmin.
Back-pressure p2 downstream of the
valve at Qmax. and Qmin.
Operating medium, any water analysis
available
Area of use (control device,
bottom outlet, etc.)
Required actuator type
Operating mode (continuous or shortterm operation, etc.)
You can also refer to our ERHARD needle
valve questionnaire which lists all the data
required. They are also used as the basis of
the calculations in the calculation program
available on CD-ROM.
Perfect calculation
made easy
values (K-values) or Kvs values can be used to calculate the pressure loss for
installation in pipes. Special calculations are necessary for special uses (e. g. as
bottom outlet, pump bypass, turbine inlet or bypass valve); our engineers would
be pleased to perform these calculations for you.
The Kvs value is the Kv value for a 100 % open valve, which describes the water
flow rate in m3/h at a temperature of 5 to 30 C and with a pressure loss of 1bar.
For easy calculation, ERHARD would be
DN2
Kv value: Kv = 0,0396
10000
Kv
DN
Pressure loss:
v2
Ap =
2g
1000
100
Ap
Flow velocity
relative to DN [m/s]
9,81 m/s2
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
One-piece body
DN
Seat
ring
Vaned
ring
Slotted
cylinder
100
125
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
1,0
2,7
1,6
1,3
1,9
1,4
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
1,2
2,9
2,4
1,6
2,5
1,9
1,5
1,5
1,5
1,5
1,5
1,5
1,4
1,4
1,3
1,1
1,1
1,0
1,0
3,1
8,3
7,3
7,6
8,5
7,6
6,5
6,5
6,5
6,5
6,5
6,5
6,5
6,5
*
*
*
*
*
Multipart body
DN
Vaned
ring
Slotted
cylinder
100
125
150
200
250
300
365
366
580
1.260
1.580
2.610
230
220
330
580
860
1.310
DN
Vaned ring
100
125
150
200
250
300
350
400
450
500
600
700
800
900
1000
1200
1400
1600
1800
*
*
*
*
*
*
4.000
5.220
6.610
8.160
11.700
16.000
21.600
27.300
35.000
54.900
74.700
102.300
129.500
Slotted
cylinder
1.900
2.510
3.180
3.920
5.650
7.680
10.040
12.700
*
*
*
*
*
Special calculations incorporating the precise installation situation are necessary for the designs marked with an asterisk (*);
we would be pleased to perform these calculations for you on the basis of your own data. All values have been determined under
practical conditions in ERHARDs in-house test centre.
Optimum actuators
for every purpose
A large number of actuator options are available, depending on the mounting
position and field of application, and thanks to standardised connections, they
can also be easily replaced at any time.
The following actuators can be inserted directly at the end of the actuator [1]:
2. Drop weight with float control
3. Drop weight actuator, hydraulic or hydro-electric
4. Double piston part turn actuator, pneumatic or hydraulic
The stem gearbox [5] can be directly combined with:
6. Handwheel
7. Square stem cap
8. Headstocks with handwheel and stem extension
9. Headstocks with electric rotary actuator and spindle extension
For use of electric rotary actuators [10], if necessary in combination with spur
gearing [11], the stem gearbox is supplemented with a drive flange [12].
10
11
2
3
12
Control tasks
always correctly solved
Needle products are only one product from the broad ERHARD range of control
valves, which includes two basic types:
Valves controlled by their own medium, which obtain their actuation energy
from the flowing medium, e. g. pressure reducing, pressure retention and
floating valves
Valves controlled by external energy, which are actuated electrically, pneumatically, hydraulically, manually or by potential energy as, apart from the
needle valve, e.g. the ERHARD REV control valve.
All fulfil the requirements in an optimum way:
Control characteristics to control large flow ranges
Removal of pressure differences without generation of cavitation damage
Low vibrations and quiet energy conversion
TALIS is the undisputed Number One for water transport and water flow
control. TALIS has the best solutions available in the fields of water and
energy management as well as for industrial and communal applications.
We have numerous products for comprehensive solutions for the whole
water cycle from hydrants, butterfly valves and knife gate valves through
to needle valves. Our experience, innovative technology, global expertise
and individual consultation processes form the basis for developing longterm solutions for the efficient treatment of the vitally important resource
water.
ERHARD GmbH & Co. KG
Postfach 1280
D-89502 Heidenheim
Meeboldstrasse 22
D-89522 Heidenheim
Phone: +49 7321 320-0
Fax:
E-Mail: info@erhard.de
Internet: www.erhard.de