Determine fluid discharge and velocity for high-pressure systems
Typical: 0.98 for smooth nozzles, 0.62 for sharp-edged orifices
Calculated Flow Rate
0.00 GPM
0.00 Liters/Min
Exit Velocity: 0.00 ft/s
Understanding 160 PSI Hydraulics
Operating a fluid system at 160 PSI (Pounds per Square Inch) represents a significant high-pressure environment commonly found in industrial cleaning, municipal water mains, and fire suppression systems. At this pressure, the velocity of the water exiting a nozzle is substantial, making the orifice size a critical factor in determining the total volume of water discharged per minute.
The Calculation Formula
To calculate the flow rate of water through a nozzle or orifice, we utilize a version of the Bernoulli equation simplified for standard water density:
Q = 29.84 × Cd × d² × √P
Q: Flow rate in Gallons Per Minute (GPM).
Cd: Discharge Coefficient (accounts for friction and turbulence).
d: Diameter of the opening in inches.
P: Pressure at the orifice in PSI.
Typical Flow Rates at 160 PSI
Nozzle Diameter (in)
Flow Rate (GPM)
Application
1/4″ (0.25)
~11.6
Pressure Washing
1/2″ (0.50)
~46.5
Industrial Cooling
1″ (1.00)
~185.9
Main Line Flushing
Why Pressure Matters
When you increase pressure to 160 PSI, you aren't just increasing the volume; you are increasing the kinetic energy of the fluid. This is vital for applications requiring high impact force. However, as flow rate increases, friction loss within the piping also increases, which may result in a "pressure drop" before the fluid even reaches the nozzle.
function calculateFlowRate() {
var p = parseFloat(document.getElementById('pressure_input').value);
var d = parseFloat(document.getElementById('diameter_input').value);
var cd = parseFloat(document.getElementById('coefficient_input').value);
var resBox = document.getElementById('flow_result_box');
var gpmText = document.getElementById('gpm_result');
var lpmText = document.getElementById('lpm_result');
var velText = document.getElementById('velocity_result');
if (isNaN(p) || isNaN(d) || isNaN(cd) || p <= 0 || d <= 0 || cd <= 0) {
alert("Please enter valid positive numbers for all fields.");
return;
}
// GPM Formula: Q = 29.84 * Cd * d^2 * sqrt(P)
var gpm = 29.84 * cd * Math.pow(d, 2) * Math.sqrt(p);
// LPM conversion: 1 GPM = 3.78541 Liters
var lpm = gpm * 3.78541;
// Velocity calculation: V = Q / A
// Area in sq inches = PI * (d/2)^2
// Convert GPM to cubic inches per second: (GPM * 231) / 60
var area = Math.PI * Math.pow((d / 2), 2);
var flowInCubicInchesPerSec = (gpm * 231) / 60;
var velocityInchesPerSec = flowInCubicInchesPerSec / area;
var velocityFtPerSec = velocityInchesPerSec / 12;
gpmText.innerHTML = gpm.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " GPM";
lpmText.innerHTML = lpm.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " Liters/Min";
velText.innerHTML = "Exit Velocity: " + velocityFtPerSec.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2}) + " ft/s";
resBox.style.display = 'block';
}