What is Flow rate: Definition and 494 Discussions

In physics and engineering, in particular fluid dynamics, the volumetric flow rate (also known as volume flow rate, rate of fluid flow, or volume velocity) is the volume of fluid which passes per unit time; usually it is represented by the symbol Q (sometimes V̇). The SI unit is cubic metres per second (m3/s). Another unit used is standard cubic centimetres per minute (SCCM).
In hydrometry, it is known as discharge.
In US customary units and imperial units, volumetric flow rate is often expressed as cubic feet per second (ft3/s) or gallons per minute (either US or imperial definitions).
Volumetric flow rate should not be confused with volumetric flux, as defined by Darcy's law and represented by the symbol q, with units of m3/(m2·s), that is, m·s−1. The integration of a flux over an area gives the volumetric flow rate.

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  1. LoveScience

    Dialysate flow rate when pulling through a jug

    Friendly argument at work (both non physics majors) with what tube would fill up faster with a flow rate (siphon like) that remains the same through two different diameter tubes. The dialysate jug is open to atm pressure. One tube is about .5 inches in diameter and the other is .25. We were...
  2. Brendan Webb

    Flow Rate and Temperature Relationship in Air Change Calculations

    MODERATOR'S NOTE: NO TEMPLATE BECAUSE THREAD WAS SUBMITTED TO ONE OF THE REGULAR FORUMS Summary: Calculate the air change rate required to keep a certain temperature In question d above, you were asked to calculate how long the air flow in the system would be active in a day. Now factor in...
  3. K

    Finding the average water mass flow rate in a water rocket

    Could anyone kindly kind me as to where this formula is derived from and how, because I searched and can't find it anywhere
  4. amare

    How to calculate the flow rate?

    A valve is installed between the throttle body and intake manifold and decrease its area to restrict the flow. How do I analyze the mass flow rate of air in the decreasing area to know the engine working condition at a minimum valve area?
  5. T

    Finding Velocity of Water Flow: A0 to A

    a) so Q=V/t = Av Q is constant ( same At A0 and A). That means I have to find the velocity of the water either at A0 or at A. But how can I find it? I thought there must be a reason that h is given but the only way I can use it is to assume the velocity is 0m/s at A0 but actually it is not...
  6. Nic sign

    How is mass flow rate a force?

    Lets say if I have a pipe with one end closed, and drill a small hole on the side of the pipe near the closed end. Then I use vacuum at the open end to create mass flow exiting the pipe. Where is the opposite force on the pipe? [crackpot youtube video deleted by moderator @russ_watters ]
  7. WhiteWolf98

    Fluid Mechanics: Flow rate required to achieve a constant height

    Some thoughts that I've had on the question are saying the volume flow rate (##Q##) in, must equal the volume flow rate out. If that's the case, then: ##Q_{in} = Q_{out}## ##A_1V_1=A_2V_2## But... no areas have been given. And height doesn't enter this equation at all. Then I thought it...
  8. avishay

    How to convert pressure (Bar) to flow rate (L/min)?

    hii, I'm try to calculate the pressure (in bar) needed for a certain flow rate 3 L/min of Argon gas given the following setup: - I have a tank of Argon gas and the line pressure can be between 0 bar to 5 bar. - The gas will flow out to the open air in the end. - My pipe has an internal radius...
  9. T

    Maximum height for water from a fire hose

    Homework Statement Fire hose has diameter of 4.0 cm and flow rate of 10 L/s. There is pressure of 2.2 bar inside the hose. How high the water can go at best? Water density is 1.00E3 kg/m^3 and air pressure outside the hose is 1.0 bar. Homework Equations Flow rate $$ Q = Av $$ Newtons...
  10. Roy S Ramirez

    How can I predict the flow rate for a real life water hose?

    Hello! I hope you are all doing well! I've been always intrigued by fluid mechanics and decided to try out a quick experiment with my water faucet. After using some equations I found online [1] [2], I plugged a hose to the faucet and let the water run. I filled a 1 quart bowl and recorded the...
  11. D

    Determining the flow rate for a cooling system

    MODERATOR'S NOTE: HOMEWORK INCORRECTLY POSTED TO CLASSICAL FORUM, SO NO TEMPLATE I need help with the following question: Please have a look at the question and my attempt at the solution. Alternative cooling systems are considered for a large computing centre requiring 1 MW of cooling...
  12. J

    Automotive Can the mass flow rate change?

    Hello everyone, Can the mass flow rate of air by a propeller connected to an engine through a small tube change if the rpm of the propeller is increased?
  13. J

    Pressure and heights of a manometer -- Find the fluid flow rate

    Homework Statement Find the flow rate of water. The fluid in the manometer is mercury. ##d_{1},d_{2}## are the diameters in the figure Homework Equations Bernoulli, continuity equations The Attempt at a Solution We know that ##p_{1}=p_{1Top}+\rho_{water}gh_{2}##...
  14. R

    Hydraulic head as a function of flow rate

    Hello! 1. Homework Statement Symbols and variables: ##\dot{V}## : flow rate ##H## : Hydraulic head ##g = 9.81 \frac{N}{kg}## ##P_{atmosphere} = 101325Pa## ##\rho = 1000\frac{kg}{m^3}## I am given a piping system, with serie and parallel pipes, they start from one point and go back into one...
  15. K

    How to calculate effective pump flow-rate across a filter?

    My issue is related to the actual flow-rate I obtain when sampling air across a filtering membrane. Each pump reports a nominal amount of air that it can draw in a certain amount of time (i.e.: flow-rate, like 10 liters per minute), but this is generally reported assuming normal temperature and...
  16. K

    PressureDrop/Pressure/Volumetric flow rate calculation (in a Pipe)

    Hello, If I have the following known variables: - P1, Pressure of fluid entering the pipe = 50 psi - L, Length of pipe = 10 in - D, Diameter of pipe = 0.5 in I want to learn how to calculate: - P2, Pressure of fluid at the end of pipe. - Q1, Volumetric flow rate of fluid entering pipe. - Q2...
  17. A

    Fuel cell mass flow rate magnitudes

    Hello, Can you tell me please the mass flow rate of hydrogen and oxygen per unit of area of electrodes in fuel cells? Or if you have information on the mass flow rate of hydrogen and air per volume of fuel cell stack? I understand this may vary, but I am looking for publications or other...
  18. P

    Deriving the Equation for Average Water Mass Flow Rate in Water Rocket Launches

    Hey, I'm a student who has to complete a written assignment for physics. I chose to launch water rockets and investigate the effect of volume on the range. I am trying to also come up with a mathematical model however I am struggling to understand an equation I found the following equation to...
  19. M

    Pressure drop necessary to have desired gas flow rate

    Hello, I'm a chemist and I'm currently working on my PhD on materials science. I'm trying to determine the pressure difference necessary to achieve the desired gas flow inside a chamber. The scheme of the chamber is the following: I have a big chamber which is evacuated to 0.2 bar, and another...
  20. I

    How long will it take for a gas cylinder to empty?

    The main aim of my question is to find time taken by gas filled tank while emptying (from full to zero) it into atmosphere? I require a set of equations which might be used in the calculation of such a situation. Known parameters are: 1. Pressure inside the gas tank. 2. Dimension and shape of...
  21. Roy S Ramirez

    Relationship between volumetric flow rate and pressure

    Hello everybody, This is my first post. I've been working on a liquid rocket engine for a while, but I have never gotten to work on its feed system (fluid mechanics), until recently. We are using a very simple pressure fed system, and its main goal is to deliver the propellants at a specific...
  22. V

    Flow Rate of Liquid O2 Cylinder w/ 24 Bar Pressure

    Hi. Just looking for an average answer to a practical scenario. At work we use a liquid O2 cylinder which includes an outer jacket that houses a regulated gas pressure of 24 bar. I need to calculate the flow rate in l/min when the supply tap (15mm diameter) is open fully? This is essentially...
  23. M

    How long will it take for compressed air to reach 29 psi?

    A large tank filled with air is compressed to 49 PSI. A valve is open and air escapes through the hole (d = 0.04 ft) to the atmosphere. How long will it take for the compressed air to reach 29 PSI. Assume constant temperature. Not exactly sure how to approach this problem since the flow rate...
  24. Z

    Flow rate calculation of hydrogen gas in case of leak

    Hi. I'm a mechanical engineer, but working as Safety Engineer. I have a question how to calculate the flow rate of hydrogen gas before a flow controller in case of leak through a 4.5 mm line at 35 bar pressure. Thanks in advance.
  25. A

    Effects of Temperature on Flow Rate

    Using a pump we are cycling water through a capsule with filter media inside; while measuring the flow rate (l/min) and the pressure (psi) going in and the pressure going out. The water is cycled back into the same storage tank. As the flow rate increases the differential pressure should change...
  26. L

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    Hello all, I'm trying to calculate the pressures exerted back on a piston by a working hydraulic fluid in a damper system. I've attached a drawing of the system and the equations I'm using. Essentially the piston motion is restricted by flow through an orifice. I have data for the flow rates...
  27. C

    How to calculate Fuel Mass Flow Rate

    I'm having a brain storm, If I have an 8 cylinder 4 stroke engine running at 4000 rpm over a 10 minute test and it consumes 4.4 Kg of fuel, then is the fuel mass flow rate as simple as the 4.4 Kg divided by the time to give me an answer on Kg/sec ? Thanks,
  28. P

    B Maintaining the same flow rate while subdivding a tube

    I have a 5/8" tube that air is blown through. I want to subdivide the center section using .1" tubes so that the same volume of air can be blown through it. It will start as 5/8", but immediately be divided into the separate .1" tubes, then end as a single 5/8" tube. How many .1" tubes would I...
  29. T

    How do I calculate the maximum flow rate?

    A building has a water inlet and outlet. The static water pressure at the buildings water intake is 5 bar. I'm trying to determine how much water this outlet will deliver when its valve is fully open. In that state, the pipe size and length will result in a certain head loss that I can calculate...
  30. dRic2

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    Hi pf, I have a reaction ## aA → bB ## in a PFR reactor. The simplest equation to write is: ## \frac {dF_A} {dV} = -R ## where ##F## is the Molar flow rate. ##F = C_A*Q## where ##Q## is the volumetric flow rate and ##C_A## is the molar concentration of A. My textbooks says that if ##a=b##...
  31. T

    Flow rate in underfloor heating system

    Consider an underfloor heating system in an apartment building. Each apartment has its own distribution box with a number of loops and a thermostatic mixing valve set to 35°C. The loops are intended to work with a ΔT of 5°C (35-30), and the riser pipe supply temperature is 75°C. Say there are...
  32. T

    Flow rate in unconfined aquifier?

    Homework Statement A 40cm well was drilled penetrating straight into unconfined aquifier at depth of 90m . The other wells were drilled at a distance of 20m and 100m from initial well have decrease in water level of 12m and 8m from groundwater level . If the aquifier has a permeability value...
  33. S

    Engine flow rate with varying power settings

    Most engine specifications I have found only provide the engine mass flow rate for take-off setting. For example, the V2500 has a mass flow rate of 354.25 kg/s. How does the flow rate vary through different power settings? For example, if the engine is on idle, will the mass flow rate be 0...
  34. Oscar Gonzalez

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  35. F

    I Volumetric flow rate and Force

    Does Pressure multiplied by volume multiplied by volumetric flow rate equal Force?
  36. M

    Heat Transfer and mass flow rate

    Hi, wondered if anyone can give me a pointer on this problem I am working on. 6 Diesel engines each with power 55kW running, given output cooling water temperature of 80°C, and required return temp of 60°C. The coolant is to be fed through a heat exchanger, with the heat exchanger outlet to be...
  37. C

    Mass flow rate calculation from velocity contour in pipe

    Hello all, Looking for ideas on how to calculate mass flow rate from a velocity contour plot. The cross-sectional area is circular. An example of the velocity contour plot is shown in the figure below: In most of the cases (as exemplified above) the flow is non-axisymmetric. Any suggestions...
  38. C

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    Hello all, I have an in-house designed flow meter with roughly the configuration in the figure. In the setup, a restriction is placed in the flow stream (the rows of horizontal lines in the figure). Pressure measurements upstream and downstream of the restriction, P1 and P2, respectively are...
  39. J

    Calculating pressures from flow rate & pressure differential

    It seems there must be a way, but I cannot seem to wrap my head around it. Here's the scenario... I have a 24" line flowing with a wet gas (combustion flue gas) into a dryer. It comes in at 90 degrees F, at a rate of 180 SCF/M. It leaves the dryer at 73 degrees F at a rate of 124...
  40. dpeff

    I Given a fixed volume of pressurized air, calculate the flow rate

    I have a work related question. Although it seems like a relatively simple question, I am having difficulties finding the correct equation(s) to calculate the answer. Question: Given a fixed volume air tank filled with pressurized air, how does one calculate the flow rate over time through...
  41. D

    Volumetric flow rate conversions

    I'm trying to learn more about how air compressors work (not how they mechanically function - how they're input/out pressures and flow rates work) and I'm having a lot of trouble getting a specific questioned answered even after a lot of google searching. Suppose I have a compressor that the...
  42. B

    B Adding a nacelle in front or behind the fan?

    Can adding a nacelle in front or behind a standard pedestal fan affect the speed of the air coming in and out? If so, which is more beneficial: an intake nacelle or a nacelle in the front? Using Q=AV, with Q being constant because of the fan blade's max speed, can affecting the area (A) create...
  43. I

    Final Flow Rate for 900 lpm Diesel Pump & 30m Hose

    I have a diesel pump doing 900 lpm with a hose reel 30 meters long, the inside diameter of the hose is 32mm. The frictional loss for 30 meters of hose is 461.04 kPa. The Viscosity of Diesel is 4.5 mPas. I would like to know the final flow rate. thanks in advance
  44. C

    Fluid Mechanics -- Volume flow rate

    Hey guys. I could use some explanation since I am new to FM: So my problem is the following one: Fluid flows with an average velocity 8 m/s in a pipe with diameter 3m. What is the volume flow rate? Now, I think the formula I got to use is Q= v.A Yet, I found my solution from a formula I found on...
  45. LiamB

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    Homework Statement More a report question but unsure where to put it. Take a 5mL syringe and a 10mL syringe (both filled to 5mL) with the plungers removed. Time how long it take to full drain each syringe Make a statement regarding your results. Homework Equations Fluid flow rate = volume /...
  46. M

    Mass Flow Rate of Flue Gas in Sugar Industry

    Hello, I want to find the mass flow rate of flue gas, i have only the diameter of pipe and ID fan speed which are 1.48Meter and 980 RPM respectively
  47. Adam Rabe

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    Homework Statement A fireman's hose acting as a water cannon, directs 100 litres/s (100 kg/s) of water horizontally at your chest at speed 5 ms-1. Assuming water essentially falls to the ground after hitting your chest (rather than say reflecting horizontally backwards), what horizontal force...
  48. D

    Strange unit of mass flow rate G?

    Hi When I was writting my thesis I found in an article, published in International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, an unit of mass flow rate G - kg/(m^2*s). Isn´t it wrong? I think that the unit of mass flow rate is kg/s. Would you mind helping me to figure it out? Thanks.
  49. H

    B Constriction at point b, effect on flow rate before constriction

    In the case of a kidney vessel from point a to point b(a-------------b), say we constrict point b and increase resistance. Would the flow rate be decreased before the constriction at b, or would the flow rate only be changed after the constriction. Thank you Physicsforums!
  50. M

    What would be the Flow Rate of 7.5 Hp Pump

    Hi Friends, I am Milind Nachane, New member of PF. We have to buy a Water Treatment Device which eliminates the scaling and rusting Hazard. To decide model of device we need to know Flow rate of Pump. I know that Pump is Mono-block (Non-submersible) of 7.5 Hp and has 2 Inches Diameter...
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