Requirements for occurrence of flashing:

 The fluid at the inlet must be in all-liquid condition, but some vapor must be present at the
valve outlet;

 The fluid at the inlet may be in either a saturated or a subcooled condition; and

 The valve outlet pressure must be either at or below the vapor pressure of the liquid.

Flashing effects:

 Material damage is associated with the formation of sand-blasted surfaces;

 Decreased efficiency - valve ability to convert pressure drop across the valve into mass
flowrate is compromised.