Pipes - Fluid Flow Velocities
Calculate fluid velocity and volume flow in pipes and tubes.
Imperial units
Fluid flow velocity in a circular pipe can be calculated with Imperial or American units as
v = 1.273 q / d 2
= 0.4084 q gpm / d in 2 (1)
where
v = velocity (ft/min, ft/s)
q = volume flow (ft 3 /s, ft 3 /min )
d = pipe inside diameter (ft)
q gpm = volume flow (US gal/min, gpm)
d in = pipe inside diameter (inches)
Online Pipe Velocity Calculator - Imperial Units
Dimensions: Steel Pipes schedule 40 & 80 , PVC and CPVC Pipes Schedule 40 & 80 , Copper Tubes and PEX Tubes
SI units
Fluid flow velocity in a circular pipe can be calculated with SI units as
v = 1.273 q / d 2 (2)
where
v = velocity (m/s)
q = volume flow (m 3 /s)
d = pipe inside diameter (m)
Online Pipe Velocity Calculator - SI Units
Example - Flow Velocity in a Steel Pipe
60 US gal/min is flowing through a 4 inch schedule 80 steel pipe . The internal diameter of the pipe is 3.83 in . The velocity can be calculated as
v = 0.4085 ( 60 gal/min ) / (3.83 in) 2
= 1.7 ft/s
Related Topics
-
Fluid Flow and Pressure Loss
Pipe lines - fluid flow and pressure loss - water, sewer, steel pipes, pvc pipes, copper tubes and more. -
Fluid Mechanics
The study of fluids - liquids and gases. Involving velocity, pressure, density and temperature as functions of space and time. -
Pipe Sizing
Sizing of steam and condensate pipe lines - pressure loss, recommended velocity, capacity and more.
Related Documents
-
Boiling Fluids - Max Suction Flow Velocities
Recommended max suction flow velocity when pumping boiling fluids. -
Boiling Liquids - Max Pumping Flow Velocities
Recommended max flow velocity on the delivery (pressure) side when pumping boiling liquids. -
Copper Tubes - Maximum Water Velocities
Water velocity in a copper tube should not exceed certain limits to avoid erosion. -
Light Oil Pumping - Flow Velocities
Recommended max. flow velocities on the delivery side when pumping light oils. -
Pipe Line Velocities vs. Fluid
Typical fluid flow velocities for common liquids, gases and vapors. -
Slurry - Density
Calculate density of a slurry. -
Slurry Transports - Minimum Flow Velocities
Flow velocities in slurry transport systems to avoid settling of solids. -
Steel Pipes - Maximum Water Flow Capacities vs. Size
Maximum water flow capacities in steel pipes - pipe dimensions ranging 2 - 24 inches. -
Viscous Liquids - Max. Delivery Flow Velocities
Recommended max. flow velocities on delivery sides of pumps in viscous systems. -
Water - Max. Suction Flow Velocities vs. Pipe Size
Recommended max. water flow velocities on suction sides of pumps. -
Water Flow - Max. Delivery Velocities vs. Pipe Size
Recommended maximum flow velocities in water systems on the delivery side of the pump. -
Water Flow in Tubes - Reynolds Number
Reynolds number for clean cold water flow. -
Water Systems - Maximum Flow Velocities
Water velocities in pipes and tubes should not exceed certain limits.
