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Fluid Velocity Formula:
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Fluid velocity is the volume of fluid flowing in the given vessel per unit cross sectional area. It represents how fast the fluid is moving through a particular section of a pipe or channel.
The calculator uses the fluid velocity formula:
Where:
Explanation: The formula calculates the average velocity of fluid flow by dividing the volumetric flow rate (discharge) by the cross-sectional area through which the fluid is flowing.
Details: Calculating fluid velocity is crucial for designing piping systems, analyzing flow characteristics, determining pressure drops, and ensuring efficient fluid transport in various engineering applications.
Tips: Enter discharge in m³/s and cross-sectional area in m². Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the difference between fluid velocity and flow rate?
A: Flow rate (discharge) is the volume of fluid passing through a section per unit time, while fluid velocity is the speed at which the fluid is moving through that section.
Q2: Does this formula give average or maximum velocity?
A: This formula calculates the average velocity across the cross-section. Actual velocity varies across the section due to boundary layer effects.
Q3: Can this formula be used for compressible fluids?
A: This specific formula is for incompressible fluids. For compressible fluids, additional factors like density changes must be considered.
Q4: What are typical fluid velocity ranges in piping systems?
A: Typical velocities range from 1-3 m/s for water in pipes, but vary significantly depending on the fluid type, pipe size, and application requirements.
Q5: How does cross-sectional shape affect fluid velocity?
A: While the formula works for any cross-sectional shape, the velocity distribution within the cross-section varies with shape due to boundary conditions and flow patterns.