Abstract
Stem friction coefficient and valve factor are very important parameters for the evaluation of valve performance. In this study, the characteristics of stem friction coefficient and valve factor are analyzed, and thor bounding value is determined. The hydraulic testing is performed for many flexible wedge gate valves in the plant and statistical method is applied to the determination of bounding value. According to the results of this study, stem friction coefficient does not change much with differential pressure, and the bounding value of closing stroke is higher than that of opening stroke. The valve factor of valves with high differential pressure is higher than that of valves with medium differential pressure. It means valve factor is more sensitive to the differential pressure than the stem friction coefficient. Valve factor of the closing stroke is higher than that of opening stroke due to piston effect.