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Pipe Flow Equation:
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Pipe flow rate (Q) represents the volume of fluid passing through a pipe per unit time. It is a fundamental parameter in fluid mechanics and hydraulic engineering, used to design and analyze piping systems.
The calculator uses the pipe flow equation:
Where:
Explanation: The flow rate equals the product of the pipe's cross-sectional area and the average velocity of the fluid flowing through it.
Details: Accurate flow rate calculation is essential for designing efficient piping systems, determining pump requirements, calculating pressure drops, and ensuring proper fluid transport in industrial, commercial, and residential applications.
Tips: Enter cross-sectional area in square meters (m²) and flow velocity in meters per second (m/s). Both values must be positive numbers. For circular pipes, area can be calculated as π × (diameter/2)².
Q1: What is the difference between flow rate and flow velocity?
A: Flow rate (Q) is the volume of fluid passing per unit time, while flow velocity (v) is the speed at which the fluid moves. Flow rate depends on both velocity and pipe size.
Q2: How do I calculate cross-sectional area for different pipe shapes?
A: For circular pipes: A = π × r²; for rectangular ducts: A = width × height; for annular pipes: A = π × (R² - r²).
Q3: What are typical flow velocities in piping systems?
A: Typical velocities range from 1-3 m/s for water systems, 15-30 m/s for compressed air, and vary for other fluids based on viscosity and application requirements.
Q4: Does this equation work for all fluids?
A: The basic equation Q = A × v works for all incompressible fluids. For compressible fluids, additional factors like density changes must be considered.
Q5: How does pipe roughness affect flow rate?
A: Pipe roughness affects flow velocity through friction losses, which in turn affects the achievable flow rate for a given pressure difference.