Formula Used:
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Discharge of fluid, also known as volumetric flow rate, is a measure of the volume of fluid passing through a given cross-sectional area per unit time. For steady incompressible fluids, this relationship is linear and follows the continuity equation.
The calculator uses the fundamental fluid mechanics equation:
Where:
Explanation: The discharge is simply the product of the cross-sectional area through which the fluid flows and the average velocity of the fluid at that section.
Details: Accurate discharge calculation is crucial for designing piping systems, water supply networks, hydraulic structures, and various industrial processes involving fluid transport.
Tips: Enter cross-sectional area in square meters (m²) and fluid velocity in meters per second (m/s). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What is the difference between discharge and flow rate?
A: Discharge specifically refers to volumetric flow rate, which is the volume of fluid passing through a section per unit time, typically measured in m³/s.
Q2: Does this formula work for compressible fluids?
A: This simplified formula is specifically for incompressible fluids. For compressible fluids, density variations must be considered.
Q3: What if the velocity is not uniform across the section?
A: For non-uniform velocity distributions, the average velocity across the cross-section should be used in the calculation.
Q4: How does this relate to the continuity equation?
A: This is essentially the continuity equation for steady incompressible flow, where mass flow rate remains constant throughout the system.
Q5: What are typical units for fluid discharge?
A: Common units include cubic meters per second (m³/s), liters per second (L/s), gallons per minute (GPM), and cubic feet per second (cfs).