TM

Surge Control
TYPICAL APPLICATION
A Surge Control Valve is a device used to
CLA-VAL
protect pumps, pumping equipment and AUTOMATIC
TURBINE
pipelines from dangerous pressure surges or PUMP
PUMP CONTROL
VALVE
waves caused by rapid changes of flow CLA-VAL CLA-VAL
velocity within a pipeline. SURGE ANITCIPATOR AUTOMATIC
VALVE CHECK VALVE
When pumping systems are started and
SHUT-OFF
stopped gradually, harmful surges do not VALVE
occur. However, should a power failure take SYSTEM
place, the abrupt stopping of the pump can DISCHARGE
LINE
cause dangerous surges in the system which
could result in severe equipment damage.
Consequently, control of surges in pumping
systems is extremely important.
Cla-Val manufactures a complete line of PRESSURE SENSING LINE
valves specifically designed for a wide variety SHUT-OFF
VALVE
of surge control applications.
DISCHARGE LINE
For basic surge control problems, a Cla-Val TO ATMOSPHERE

50 Series Pressure Relief Valve can be used

to relieve the high wave to atmosphere.
In certain installations where extreme surges can occur, it is necessary to have the Surge Control Valve start to open on the low
pressure wave. This wave is created by the pump stopping and the fluid column continuing to move away from the pump.
With the Surge Valve opening on the initial low wave the returning high wave is diverted from the system. In effect the valve
has anticipated the returning high wave and is open and the high wave never occurs. The Cla-Val 52 Series Surge Anticipator
Valves are designed specifically for this purpose.
Additional features such as time delays, solenoid operators, opening and closing speed controls, assembly for independent
operating pressure and remote pressure sensing, add to the versatility of the Cla-Val Automatic Surge Control Valves.

The following illustrations show how the Cla-Val Surge Anticipator Valve works.

.
.P.H
25 M

In Illustration 1, a locomotive is pushing a train up a grade. This compares

with a pump delivering water to a higher elevation through a pipeline.

1
.P.H.
25 M
0M .P.H.
The locomotive has stopped abruptly in Illustration 2 but momentum
continues to carry the train forward up the grade. The same condition exists
at the pump discharge upon power failure to the pump; the momentum of 2
the water column continues to carry it forward, creating a low pressure
condition at the pump discharge.

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 .H.
0 M.P
.H.
0 M.P
Illustration 3 shows the train stopped after expending its energy in moving
up the grade. The water column in the pipeline has likewise come to rest.

.P.H.
25 M
.H. The train, in Illustration 4, has now started coasting backward down the
0 M.P
track and is about to collide with the locomotive. The same is true in the
pipeline, the water column also reverses and flows back down the pipeline
toward the pump with approximately the same velocity as before the
pump failed.

In Illustration 5 the moving train collides with the stationary locomotive with
disastrous results. Correspondingly, when the water returning back down the
pipeline is stopped by the closed check valve, a high pressure surge
develops. The result of this sudden stop can be damaging to the pipeline
and pumping equipment, similar to the wrecked train.

The magnitude of this high pressure surge is directly proportional to the rate of
change of velocity of the fluid. A 50 PSI surge can be anticipated for every
foot/second change in the velocity of the fluid. Thus it is apparent that high
pressure can develop rapidly at the check valve and, if it is too rapid,
necessitates a Surge Control Valve to eliminate the high pressure.
5

Illustration 6 shows the returning train being switched to a sidetrack, thus

averting collision with the locomotive. A Cla-Val Surge Control Valve, when
installed in the system, acts in the same manner as the sidetrack and the
train, directing the high surge to atmosphere, and protecting the pump and
system.

In Illustration 2 the creation of a low pressure condition at the pump

discharge was mentioned. This is a result of the abrupt stopping of the
pump and the column of water rushing away from it. The Cla-Val Surge
Control Valve senses this low pressure and opens in anticipation of the high
6 wave which will be returning. Thus the returning high wave does not build
up against a closed check valve but is sidetracked out of the system,
eliminating any possibility of damage.

CLA-VAL Represented By:

PO Box 1325 Newport Beach CA 92659-0325
Phone: 949-722-4800 Fax: 949-548-5441
CLA-VAL CANADA CLA-VAL EUROPE
4687 Christie Drive Chemin des M sanges 1
Beamsville, Ontario CH-1032 Romanel/
TM
Canada LOR 1B4 Lausanne, Switzerland
Phone: 905-563-4963 Phone: 41-21-643-15-55
Fax: 905-563-4040 Fax: 41-21-643-15-50
'COPYRIGHT CLA-VAL 2003 Printed in USA
Specifications subject to change without notice. www.cla-val.com
B-59 (R-9/03)