Enter the pressure, density, and cross-sectional area into the calculator to determine the maximum flow rate of a fluid through a pipe or other channel.
Max Flow Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the maximum flow rate:
Q = (1 / ρ) * √(2 * ΔP / ρ) * A
Variables:
- Q is the maximum flow rate (m³/s)
- ΔP is the pressure difference (pascals)
- ρ is the fluid density (kg/m³)
- A is the cross-sectional area of the pipe or channel (m²)
To calculate the maximum flow rate, divide one by the fluid density, then multiply by the square root of two times the pressure difference divided by the fluid density, and finally multiply by the cross-sectional area.
What is Max Flow?
Max flow, or maximum flow rate, is the highest rate at which a fluid can flow through a given cross-sectional area under a specific pressure difference. It is a critical parameter in fluid dynamics and is essential for designing piping systems, hydraulic systems, and for understanding the behavior of fluids under varying pressures and densities.
How to Calculate Max Flow?
The following steps outline how to calculate the Maximum Flow Rate.
- First, determine the pressure difference (ΔP) in pascals.
- Next, determine the fluid density (ρ) in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
- Next, determine the cross-sectional area (A) of the pipe or channel in square meters (m²).
- Next, gather the formula from above = Q = (1 / ρ) * √(2 * ΔP / ρ) * A.
- Finally, calculate the Maximum Flow Rate (Q) in cubic meters per second (m³/s).
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Pressure difference (ΔP) = 5000 pascals
Fluid density (ρ) = 1000 kg/m³
Cross-sectional area (A) = 0.05 m²
