Multi-Hole Restriction Orifice Plates for Pressure Drop and Flow Control

Multi-hole restriction orifice plates use multiple smaller openings instead of one single bore to distribute flow through the plate. They are often considered when a single-bore restriction orifice may create excessive velocity, noise, vibration, or cavitation risk.

Submit System Data

Restrict Flow reviews operating conditions before recommending a standard, multi-hole, multi-stage, or Anti-Cavitate Orifice Plate™ approach.

Multi-hole restriction orifice plate with multiple machined openings

What Is a Multi-Hole Restriction Orifice Plate?

A multi-hole restriction orifice plate is a flat plate with several machined holes through the plate instead of one central bore. The total open area is distributed across multiple holes to manage flow and pressure drop through the restriction.

Compared with a standard single-bore restriction orifice plate, a multi-hole design divides the opening area across multiple holes.

Multiple holes instead of one single bore
Flow is distributed across multiple openings instead of one central bore
Pressure drop is still created across the plate
Cavitation risk must still be reviewed based on actual system conditions

When Multi-Hole Designs Are Commonly Considered

Multi-hole restriction orifice plates are commonly evaluated when a single-bore restriction orifice may concentrate too much velocity or pressure drop in one location.

High pressure drop across one plate
Noise or vibration concerns
Liquid cavitation risk
Need to distribute flow through multiple openings
Applications where a standard single-bore plate may be too aggressive

Multi-Hole Does Not Automatically Eliminate Cavitation

A multi-hole restriction orifice can help distribute flow, but it does not automatically eliminate cavitation. Cavitation risk depends on upstream pressure, downstream pressure, vapor pressure, temperature, flow rate, fluid properties, and where pressure recovery occurs downstream of the plate.

For severe liquid cavitation applications, the Anti-Cavitate Orifice Plate™ may be the better fit.

For a broader explanation of cavitation behavior in piping systems, review our cavitation overview.

System Data Is Required Before Selection

Multi-hole restriction orifice plates should be selected based on actual operating conditions, not hole count alone. Restrict Flow reviews the system data to determine whether a standard, multi-hole, multi-stage, or Anti-Cavitate Orifice Plate™ approach should be considered.

Flow rate
Fluid type and temperature
Upstream pressure
Downstream pressure
Required pressure drop
Pipe size and schedule
Material requirements
Cavitation, noise, or vibration concerns

Applications involving staged pressure reduction should review our multi-stage restriction orifice plate page. Standard single-bore applications can be reviewed on our standard restriction orifice plate page.

Need a Multi-Hole Restriction Orifice Plate?

Submit your operating conditions for review. Restrict Flow will evaluate the application and determine whether a multi-hole restriction orifice plate should be considered.