Control Valve Pressure Drop

Have you ever wondered what a pressure drop in a control valve means? It’s the difference between the upstream pressure and the downstream pressure of a fluid flowing through a controlled medium. This provides an insight into the degree of resistance or restriction of flow, as well as the requirement for higher system energy to maintain the desired rate of flow. Control valves are essential components of most process systems and it is important to understand their function and how the pressure differential affects them. In this article, we will take a look at the official business definition of control valve pressure drop, plus provide a deeper understanding of why it matters.