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How to Calculate Flow in a Pipe

Calculating the flow through a pipe allows you to determine the amount of fluid or gas that is being transferred during any given period of time. For generalized estimates, you need to determine only the size of the pipe and the velocity of the fluid, but it may also be important to keep in mind that the pressure of a fluid is affected by the rise or fall of the pipe, and the gradient of that differential. The basic formula for the calculation is called the Bernoulli Equation, although there are other variations that deal with compressible and incompressible fluids or gases.

Things You'll Need

  • Pencil
  • Paper
  • Calculator
  • Stop watch
  • 1-gallon container
  • Pressure gauge
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Instructions

    • 1

      Determine the rise or fall of the pipe. Measure the length of the pipe. Subtract the height of the input end of the pipe from the height of the output side. Divide the resulting number by the length of the pipe. Write the number on your paper, label it "H." For example, a level horizontal pipe will have an elevation of 0, and a pipe that flows downhill will have a negative number.

    • 2

      Using the stop watch as a timer, fill a 1-gallon container and record the time required to fill the container. Divide 128 by the number of seconds to fill the container. Multiply that number by 60 to arrive at the velocity. Multiply the velocity times itself. Divide the result by 64.4 (two times the gravity acceleration constant). Write this number down with the label of "V."

    • 3
      A pressure gauge is the simplest way to measure pressure on a line.

      Install a pressure gauge to the line and measure the applied pressure density. Divide the pressure density of the fluid by 32.2 (the gravity acceleration constant). Label this number as "P" on your paper. This is the basic pressure of the fluid, before it is modified by elevation of the flow through the pipe.

    • 4

      Add the three numbers together: H+V+P=F. F is the calculated flow of fluid through the pipe. Elevation plus Velocity plus Pressure becomes the sum of Flow through the pipe.

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