Gas Flow Rate Through Orifice Calculator

Orifice Flow Equation:

\[ Q = C_d A \sqrt{\frac{2 \Delta P}{\rho}} \]

Discharge Coefficient (C_d):

dimensionless

Orifice Area (A):

m²

Pressure Drop (ΔP):

Gas Density (ρ):

kg/m³

Gas Flow Rate (Q):

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1. What is the Orifice Flow Equation?

The orifice flow equation calculates the volumetric flow rate of gas through an orifice plate based on the pressure difference across the orifice, the orifice characteristics, and gas properties. It is widely used in fluid mechanics and engineering applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the orifice flow equation:

\[ Q = C_d A \sqrt{\frac{2 \Delta P}{\rho}} \]

Where:

\( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
\( C_d \) — Discharge coefficient (dimensionless)
\( A \) — Orifice cross-sectional area (m²)
\( \Delta P \) — Pressure drop across orifice (Pa)
\( \rho \) — Gas density (kg/m³)

Explanation: The equation relates flow rate to the square root of pressure difference, accounting for energy losses through the discharge coefficient.

3. Importance of Orifice Flow Calculation

Details: Accurate flow rate calculation is essential for designing piping systems, sizing equipment, process control, and energy efficiency optimization in industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter discharge coefficient (typically 0.6-0.9 for sharp-edged orifices), orifice area in square meters, pressure drop in Pascals, and gas density in kg/m³. All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical discharge coefficient value?
A: For sharp-edged orifices, C_d is typically 0.6-0.65. For rounded orifices, it can be 0.8-0.9 depending on geometry.

Q2: How do I calculate orifice area?
A: For circular orifices, A = π × (d/2)² where d is the orifice diameter in meters.

Q3: What affects the discharge coefficient?
A: Orifice geometry, Reynolds number, edge sharpness, and upstream/downstream conditions all influence C_d.

Q4: Is this equation valid for all flow regimes?
A: The equation assumes turbulent flow and incompressible flow conditions. For compressible flow, additional corrections are needed.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: Accuracy depends on correct C_d selection and measurement precision. For critical applications, calibration is recommended.