1. What is the Flow Rate Equation?

The flow rate equation (Q = A × V) calculates volumetric flow rate from cross-sectional area and fluid velocity. It's fundamental in fluid dynamics and engineering applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic flow rate equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (m²)
• \( V \) — Fluid velocity (m/s)

Explanation: The equation shows that flow rate is directly proportional to both the cross-sectional area of the pipe/channel and the velocity of the fluid.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Flow rate calculations are essential for designing piping systems, calculating pump requirements, determining pipe sizes, and analyzing fluid transport systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the cross-sectional area in square meters and velocity in meters per second. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is velocity determined from differential pressure?
A: Velocity can be calculated using Bernoulli's equation: \( V = \sqrt{(2 \times \Delta P) / \rho} \), where ΔP is pressure difference and ρ is fluid density.

Q2: What are typical flow rate units?
A: Common units include m³/s (SI), L/min, and gpm (gallons per minute). This calculator uses SI units (m³/s).

Q3: Does this work for compressible fluids?
A: This simple equation works best for incompressible fluids. For compressible fluids, additional factors like gas laws must be considered.

Q4: How does pipe shape affect the calculation?
A: The cross-sectional area (A) must be calculated appropriately for the pipe shape (circular, rectangular, etc.).

Q5: What about turbulent vs laminar flow?
A: This equation gives instantaneous flow rate. Flow regime affects pressure drop calculations but not this basic relationship.