Formula Used:
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The flow rate calculation formula estimates the volume of water flowing through a system per unit time, based on hydroelectric power, turbine efficiency, effective head, and unit weight of water. It's essential for designing and optimizing hydroelectric power systems.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the required water flow rate to generate a specific amount of hydroelectric power, considering the efficiency of the turbine and the available head pressure.
Details: Accurate flow rate calculation is crucial for designing efficient hydroelectric systems, optimizing energy production, and ensuring proper turbine selection and sizing.
Tips: Enter hydroelectric power in kW, turbine efficiency as a percentage, effective head in meters, and unit weight of water in N/m³. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is the constant 738 used in the formula?
A: The constant 738 is a conversion factor that accounts for unit conversions between power (kW), flow rate (m³/s), head (m), and unit weight (N/m³).
Q2: What is a typical efficiency range for hydroelectric turbines?
A: Modern hydroelectric turbines typically have efficiencies between 85-95%, depending on the turbine type and operating conditions.
Q3: How is effective head different from gross head?
A: Effective head accounts for head losses in the system (friction, bends, etc.), while gross head is the total vertical drop from the water source to the turbine.
Q4: What is the standard unit weight of water?
A: The unit weight of water is approximately 9810 N/m³ at standard conditions (4°C temperature and standard atmospheric pressure).
Q5: Can this formula be used for other fluids besides water?
A: The formula is specifically designed for water. For other fluids, the unit weight value would need to be adjusted according to the fluid's specific weight.