Software Manual
Version 3.2
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
Content
1 Introduction..................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Copyright Notice ...................................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Overview.................................................................................................................................. 3
2 Getting Started ................................................................................................................................ 4
3 Main Window .................................................................................................................................. 5
3.1 New Case ................................................................................................................................. 5
3.2 Load Case................................................................................................................................. 5
3.3 Recent Cases............................................................................................................................ 5
3.4 Exit ........................................................................................................................................... 5
3.5 Website ................................................................................................................................... 5
3.6 Terms of Use............................................................................................................................ 5
4 Sizing Window ................................................................................................................................. 6
4.1 Functionality Top of Window .................................................................................................. 6
4.2 Window Sections ..................................................................................................................... 7
4.2.1 Title Block ........................................................................................................................ 7
4.2.2 Station Variables.............................................................................................................. 7
4.2.3 Valve Options .................................................................................................................. 7
4.2.4 Output ............................................................................................................................. 8
4.3 Sizing Rules .............................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.1 Station Variables.............................................................................................................. 9
4.3.2 Valve Options .................................................................................................................. 9
4.3.3 Output – Sizing of Valves ............................................................................................... 10
5 Datasheet Window ........................................................................................................................ 13
6 Further questions .......................................................................................................................... 14
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 2
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
1 Introduction
The purpose of this document is to serve as a guideline for the installation and operation of the
GFSize software of Gas Flow Solutions BVBA (GFS).
1.1 Copyright Notice
The information contained in this GFSize software manual is updated regularly to correspond with
the most recent version of the software. This software manual contains proprietary information that
is protected by copyright. All rights are reserved. No part of the software or software manual can be
reproduced, stored or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of GFS.
1.2 Overview
GFSize is the Gas Flow Solutions Valve Sizing Software.
This sizing program operates on most Windows-compatible PC’s, providing a helpful electronic
design tool to assist you in the sizing of pressure regulating stations and specification of pressure
regulating and safety equipment.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 3
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
2 Getting Started
GFSize does not require installation on your computer. Simply place the folder GFSize in a directory
of your choice (e.g. on your Desktop or Program Files Folder). Double Click on the GFSize V3_2.exe
icon to launch the program.
The first time you launch the software you will see the Terms of Use screen. Accepting the Terms of
Use launches the software, declining them closes the software.
This screen will only appear the first time you launch the software on your computer, you can consult
them again afterwards by clicking the Terms of Use Button on the main window.
The screen appearing next is the Main Window.
Figure 1 Main Window
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 4
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
3 Main Window
The main window displays several buttons (See Figure 1), each of them initiating an action when
clicked.
3.1 New Case
The New Case button, when clicked, opens the Sizing Window creating a new sizing case.
3.2 Load Case
The Load Case button, when clicked, opens a window where you browse to an existing sizing case
file. Selecting a case opens that particular case in the Sizing Window. GFSize sizing files have the
extension “.gfs” and can be stored in a folder of your choice. The default folder for storing “.gfs”
sizing files is the folder GFS_Cases. You can choose from a few sizing examples produced by GFS and
that are already present in the folder GFS_Cases.
3.3 Recent Cases
The recent cases button, when clicked, opens a window with the recent cases you have worked on.
Selecting a case opens that particular case in the Sizing Window
3.4 Exit
The exit button, when clicked, closes the software.
3.5 Website
The website button contains a hyperlink to the GFS website www.gasflowsolutions.be
3.6 Terms of Use
The Terms of Use button, when clicked, opens a screen containing the terms of use. Only when
agreeing with the Terms of Use, can the software be used.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 5
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
4 Sizing Window
4.1 Functionality Top of Window
When moving your cursor to the top section of the sizing window, 6 buttons will appear at the top of
the page.
Figure 2 Sizing Window showing the buttons in the title block
Help : Opens the manual
Print : Prints the Sizing Window. Although the layout of the Sizing Window is
set-up in landscape, it is sent as a portrait to the printer, as these are
standardly set to portrait. Should your printer be set to landscape, please
change it to portrait when printing the Sizing Window.
Datasheet : Takes you to the Datasheet Window
Save As : Opens a screen where you can save your sizing case file. GFSize software
produces files with an extension .gfs. These files can be stored at a
location of your choice.
Save : The compressibility of the gas at the inlet of the station. If this value is
not known, use 1 as a conservative sizing value.
Back : The compressibility of the gas at the outlet of the station. If this value is
not known, use 1 as a conservative sizing value.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 6
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
4.2 Window Sections
Title Block
Station
Variables
Valve
Options
Output
Figure 3 Sections of the Sizing Window
Please note that white cells are cells that can be altered manually by the user. Grey cells are
calculated values and cannot be altered.
4.2.1 Title Block
The title block contains sizing case information such as Reference, Project, Customer, Customer
Reference, Sizing by and the Date.
These cells can be freely filled in by the user and changed at any time, information contained in these
cells have no influence on the sizing of the valves.
4.2.2 Station Variables
These cells can be freely filled in by the user and changed at any time, information contained in these
cells is used in the valve sizing calculations performed by the software. Two cases can be filled in.
Some cells, such as Medium, have a number of preselected options which can be used. When
selected, a number of other cells will be automatically filled in.
For sizing rules and criteria, please read the section 4.3 Sizing Rules.
4.2.3 Valve Options
The “Valve Options” section contains a number of parameters which have to be selected and which
will serve as an input for the calculations.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 7
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
The number of valves can be changed by clicking the green buttons which appear when the cursor is
moved over a pipe or valve:
• The Add button adds a valve to the station
• The Remove button removes the corresponding valve from the station.
Figure 4 The Remove Button appearing when the cursor points at a valve
The Size and Wall Thickness of the inlet- and outlet pipe can be selected in the corresponding
selection cells. Valve characteristics such as size and silencing are selected in the box below the
corresponding valve. The flow coefficient and body shape factor, corresponding to a certain size and
silencing option are shown below the corresponding valve.
4.2.4 Output
The output section shows the cells containing the output of the sizing calculations. These cells cannot
be changed by the user. For interpretation of the results refer to 4.3 Sizing Rules. Note that the
Sound Pressure Levels can be hidden by clicking the Hide SPL button.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 8
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
4.3 Sizing Rules
The sizing of a gas flow regulating station can be done in the sizing window of the GFSize software. In
the top section, the station variables including the process parameters, can be filled in. Below, the
valve parameters are selected after which the output is generated.
4.3.1 Station Variables
The GFSize regulating station sizing allows for two cases to be calculated at once. For proper sizing
the minimum and maximum inlet pressure cases are used. However several parameters can be
altered to predict what will happen in the gas regulating station. Following parameters can be filled
in the station variables section:
Normal Flow : The flow at normal conditions (0°C and 1.013 bar-a) in Nm3/h. For proper
valve sizing the maximum station flow including design margins should be
selected in these cells.
Inlet Pressure : The station inlet pressure (upstream of the first component) in bar-g. For
proper valve sizing, the maximum and minimum pressure should be used
for calculations. Two case boxes allow you to fill in both values. The GFSize
sizing software returns realistic results for inlet pressures up to 150 bar-g.
Outlet Pressure : The station outlet pressure (downstream of the last component) in bar-g.
For proper valve sizing, the value of the regulated outlet pressure should
be filled in for both cases.
Inlet Temperature : Temperature at the inlet of the station in °C.
Inlet Compressibility : The compressibility of the gas at the inlet of the station. If this value is
not known, use 1 as a conservative sizing value.
Outlet Compressibility : The compressibility of the gas at the outlet of the station. If this value is
not known, use 1 as a conservative sizing value.
Medium : The process medium. A few examples are present for quick sizing with
corresponding medium characteristics. However, the user can define this
cell without limitation and fill in the medium characteristics himself.
Normal density : The gas density in kg/Nm3. When filling in this value, the relative density
will be filled in automatically
Relative density : The gas density relative to air at normal conditions. When filling in this
value, the normal density will be filled in automatically.
Reference Pressure : The local atmospheric pressure used to convert the gauge pressure to
absolute pressure. Standard, 1.013 bar is used
Normal Compressibility : The compressibility of the gas at normal conditions.
Allowable SPL : The valve’s allowable Sound Pressure Level in dB(A), measured at 1
meter of the valve, assuming free field conditions according ISO
3744:2010.
4.3.2 Valve Options
In this section the piping and valve parameters are selected in order to obtain acceptable output
values. The following parameters can be filled in after which the standard
Size : The nominal size of the valve or piping in Inch
Silencing : The type of trim selected in the valve resulting in a different sound
reduction.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 9
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
Pipe Schedule : Wall Thickness of the pipe.
4.3.3 Output – Sizing of Valves
After filling in the station variables and valve options, the software calculates several output values.
Please note that sizing of valves through this software is an iterative process. Generally, if you
encounter an error or negative pressure drop in one of the devices, select a bigger valve size. If you,
after following below procedure, still encounter errors or if you have any sizing issues, please contact
your GFS representative for help.
Please follow the following procedure:
1. Select the inlet pipe size and wall thickness. Wall thickness should be based on wall thickness
calculations, which falls outside the scope of this software.
2. Select the outlet pipe size and wall thickness. Wall thickness should be based on wall
thickness calculations, which falls outside the scope of this software.
3. Check the Gas Velocity of the inlet pipe section. If this exceeds a specified value, select a
bigger inlet pipe. Typical maximum gas velocities are between 20 m/s and 25 m/s. GFS
advises not to size with values larger than 25 m/s for normal and continuous operation.
4. Select the first (start upstream) valve size and silencing option of the first valve.
a. In case this is a Safety Shut-Off valve: Check the Gas Velocity at the outlet of the
valve. If this exceeds 60 m/s, select a bigger valve size. If the value is not displayed
and NaN appears, select a bigger valve size.
b. In case this is an Active Regulator, check the pressure drop. If the value is below 0,5
bar the regulator will not operate properly. Increase the inlet pressure or reduce the
outlet pressure to keep the pressure differential higher than 0,5 bar. Then check the
Required Capacity of the valve. If the value is not displayed and NaN appears, select
a bigger valve size. If the value exceeds 100%, increase the valve size. Then check the
SPL value of the valve and compare it to the stated allowable limit. If the value
exceeds the stated limit, select a different silencing option or increase the wall
thickness of the outlet pipe. Please note that a regulator gas velocity above 150 m/s
is not recommended. Conservative sizing limits the regulator gas velocities to 60 m/s
but in most cases higher values are definitely possible. Please contact your GFS
representative for advise on sizing in >60m/s regimes.
c. In case this is a Monitor Regulator, select the same size as the active regulator. Only
in very special cases active regulator and monitor regulator are of different size,
contact your GFS representative in case this is specifically requested.
5. If there is more than one valve (2 or 3) present in the system, select the second (start
upstream) valve size and silencing option.
a. In case this is a Safety Shut-Off valve: Check the Gas Velocity at the outlet of the
valve. If this exceeds 60 m/s, select a bigger valve size. If the value is not displayed
and NaN appears, select a bigger valve size.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 10
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
b. In case this is an Active Regulator, check the pressure drop. If the value is below 0,5
bar the regulator will not operate properly. Increase the inlet pressure, reduce the
outlet pressure or increase the size of the upstream valve to keep the pressure
differential higher than 0,5 bar. Then check the Required Capacity of the valve. If the
value is not displayed and NaN appears, select a bigger valve size. If the value
exceeds 100%, increase the valve size. Then check the SPL value of the valve and
compare it to the stated allowable limit. If the value exceeds the stated limit, select a
different silencing option or increase the wall thickness of the outlet pipe. Please
note that a regulator gas velocity above 150 m/s is not recommended. Conservative
sizing limits the regulator gas velocities to 60 m/s but in most cases higher values are
definitely possible. Please contact your GFS representative for advise on sizing in
>60m/s regimes.
c. In case this is a Monitor Regulator, select the same size as the active regulator. Only
in very special case active regulator and monitor regulator are of different size,
contact your GFS representative in case this is specifically requested.
6. If there are three valves present in the system, select the third (start upstream) valve size
and silencing option.
a. The valve is the active regulator, check the pressure drop. If the value is below 0,5
bar the regulator will not operate properly. Increase the inlet pressure, reduce the
outlet pressure or increase the size of the upstream valves to keep the pressure
differential higher than 0,5 bar. Then check the Required Capacity of the valve. If the
value is not displayed and NaN appears, select a bigger valve size. If the value
exceeds 100%, increase the valve size. Then check the SPL value of the valve and
compare it to the stated allowable limit. If the value exceeds the stated limit, select a
different silencing option or increase the wall thickness of the outlet pipe. Please
note that a regulator gas velocity above 150 m/s is not recommended. Conservative
sizing limits the regulator gas velocities to 60 m/s but in most cases higher values are
definitely possible. Please contact your GFS representative for advise on sizing in
>60m/s regimes.
7. Repeat Steps 4, 5 and 6 until all output values are of acceptable levels.
a. Capacity Values should be below 100%.
b. Pressure drops should positive values, above 0.5 bar for regulators
c. Sound Pressure Levels (SPL) should be below the allowable limit.
d. Gas Velocities should be below 60 m/s for Safety Shut-Off Valves and below 150 m/s
for Regulators.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 11
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
Important Note: When selecting larger regulators (8 inch and above) and in the case the velocity in
the regulating valve is below 50 m/s, the SPL calculation is rather conservative. The sound pressure
level calculations in the GFSize software are based on the VDMA 24422. If not feasible for your case,
please contact your GFS representative for the SPL determination of your specific case.
In case a Safety Shut Off Valve + Monitor + Active regulator are selected, grey cells containing
capacity and sound information are displayed in the Output Section. The displayed values are not the
values in normal operation when the active regulators is operating. The values are those in an
emergency service case, when the monitor has taken over operation from the normally active
regulator. Although capacity values should be below 100%, one might consider allowing for a higher
SPL level.
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 12
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
5 Datasheet Window
The datasheet window displays a datasheet containing relevant information of the sizing case
selected in the sizing window.
You can choose to hide or show different sections by clicking the buttons on the left of the title of the
corresponding sections.
Clicking the Print Button prints the datasheet.
Clicking the Print to CSV Button prints the datasheet to a comma separated values file which is placed
in the same folder as the main .gfs sizing file.
Figure 5 Datasheet Window
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 13
Date : July 2013
Software Manual GFSize V3.2
6 Further questions
For further questions or help with your sizing cases, please contact us at [email protected]
Document No. : O12053-E-01099 Revision :A
Page 14
Date : July 2013
