Installation diagrams for balancing valve

A balancing valve is an adjustable hydraulic resistance, so its application schemes can be very different. It should be remembered that with a change in water flow, the pressure losses on the valve also change, so they are recommended to be used only in systems with a static hydraulic mode without devices that automatically change the flow rate.

Below are only the most popular installation schemes for balancing valves:

1 In external heating networks with a static hydraulic mode, balancing valves have replaced throttle diaphragms (washers). With their help, excess pressure is throttled and the calculated flow rate of the heat carrier is limited. Manual balancing valves cannot be used in heating networks if devices are installed in heating substations that automatically change the flow rate of the heat carrier depending on the heat demand.

2 On distribution manifolds for linking hydraulic modes of several systems requiring different pressure differences (excess pressure).

3 In branched heating systems, balancing valves solve the problem of uneven distribution of water flow through branches located closer and further from the heating substation.

In modern heating systems, manual balancing valves are not used due to the need to use thermostatic radiator valves, which constantly change the hydraulic mode. This means that the water flow rate in circulation loops and in the heating system itself can be different and depend on the day of the week, time of day, outside air temperature or the temperature of the heat carrier.

Manual balancing valves are used to balance only static systems. In the example of a heating system, static systems are all systems without thermostatic radiator valves and devices for quantitative regulation, including all classic single-pipe vertical systems and systems with P-shaped branches. In such systems, manual balancing valves can be used for debugging, balancing systems and restoring circulation through inactive branches. In systems with a dynamic hydraulic mode, so-called automatic balancing valves (pressure drop regulators and flow regulators) should be used.

question : comment : feedback