Pressure independent control valve

Owned by Dennis De Beuckeleer
Last updated: Sept 28, 2023
2 min read

Operating principle

A Pressure Independent Control Valve, or PICV as it is commonly known, is a multi-functional valve, combining the operation of 3 different valves in one convenient and compact unit.  The PICV acts as a differential pressure control valve, a regulating valve, and a 2-port control valve. The PICV controls the net thermal power passing through the circuit by varying the flow in the end unit. This means that the flow on the secondary side as on the primary side is variable. In full-load operation, the 2-way valve is completely opened whereas in partial load conditions the 2-way valve is positioned in the function of the process value (measured room temperature) and setpoint (room temperature). 

Individual components and parameters

  1. 2-way valve

  2. Balance valve for primary balancing

  3. Differential pressure control valve

System check 

As this mixing circuit is a so-called 'passive' circuit, the circuit needs a primary pump to extract hot water from the primary side. If the software encounters a missing pump on the primary side of the passive circuit, it will report this as a problem while running the system check. 

How to use in Hysopt

A Pressure Independent Control Valve, or PICV as it is commonly known, is a multi-functional valve, combining the operation of 3 different valves in one convenient and compact unit.  The PICV acts as a differential pressure control valve, a regulating valve, and a 2-port control valve. The PICV controls the net thermal power passing through the circuit by varying the flow in the end unit. This means that the flow on the secondary side as on the primary side is variable. In full load operation the 2-way valve