.pipeline-calculator-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
background-color: #f9fafb;
border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 2rem;
color: #1f2937;
}
.pipeline-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.pipeline-header h2 {
color: #0284c7;
font-size: 1.8rem;
margin: 0 0 0.5rem 0;
}
.pipeline-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 1.5rem;
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.pipeline-grid {
grid-template-columns: 1fr;
}
}
.input-group {
display: flex;
flex-direction: column;
}
.input-group label {
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
color: #374151;
}
.input-group input {
padding: 0.75rem;
border: 1px solid #d1d5db;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 1rem;
transition: border-color 0.2s;
}
.input-group input:focus {
outline: none;
border-color: #0284c7;
box-shadow: 0 0 0 3px rgba(2, 132, 199, 0.1);
}
.calc-btn-container {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 2rem;
}
.calc-btn {
background-color: #0284c7;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 1rem 2.5rem;
font-size: 1.1rem;
font-weight: 600;
border-radius: 6px;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background-color 0.2s;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #0369a1;
}
.results-section {
background-color: #ffffff;
border: 1px solid #e5e7eb;
border-radius: 8px;
padding: 1.5rem;
display: none;
}
.results-header {
font-size: 1.25rem;
font-weight: 700;
color: #0f172a;
margin-bottom: 1rem;
border-bottom: 2px solid #f3f4f6;
padding-bottom: 0.5rem;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
align-items: center;
padding: 0.75rem 0;
border-bottom: 1px solid #f3f4f6;
}
.result-row:last-child {
border-bottom: none;
}
.result-label {
color: #6b7280;
font-weight: 500;
}
.result-value {
font-weight: 700;
font-size: 1.1rem;
color: #0284c7;
}
.error-msg {
color: #ef4444;
text-align: center;
margin-top: 1rem;
font-weight: 600;
display: none;
}
.pipeline-content {
margin-top: 3rem;
line-height: 1.7;
}
.pipeline-content h3 {
color: #0f172a;
margin-top: 2rem;
border-left: 4px solid #0284c7;
padding-left: 1rem;
}
.pipeline-content ul {
margin-bottom: 1.5rem;
}
.pipeline-content li {
margin-bottom: 0.5rem;
}
function calculatePipelineFlow() {
// Get DOM elements
var diameterInput = document.getElementById("pipe_diameter");
var velocityInput = document.getElementById("fluid_velocity");
var errorMsg = document.getElementById("calc_error");
var resultsDiv = document.getElementById("calc_results");
// Get values
var diameterInches = parseFloat(diameterInput.value);
var velocityFtSec = parseFloat(velocityInput.value);
// Validation
if (isNaN(diameterInches) || isNaN(velocityFtSec) || diameterInches <= 0 || velocityFtSec * 60 for Liters/Min
var flowLPM = flowCFS * 28.3168 * 60;
// 1 CFS = 101.941 m3/h
var flowM3H = flowCFS * 101.941;
// Display Results
document.getElementById("res_gpm").innerText = flowGPM.toFixed(2) + " GPM";
document.getElementById("res_cfs").innerText = flowCFS.toFixed(4) + " ft³/s";
document.getElementById("res_lpm").innerText = flowLPM.toFixed(2) + " L/min";
document.getElementById("res_m3h").innerText = flowM3H.toFixed(2) + " m³/h";
document.getElementById("res_area").innerText = areaSqFt.toFixed(4) + " ft²";
resultsDiv.style.display = "block";
}
Pipeline Flow Rate Calculator
Calculate volumetric flow based on pipe diameter and fluid velocity.
Enter the internal diameter (ID)
Average speed of the liquid
Please enter valid positive numbers for both fields.
Calculation Results
Flow Rate (GPM – US Gallons/Min):
–
Flow Rate (CFS – Cubic Feet/Sec):
–
Flow Rate (LPM – Liters/Min):
–
Flow Rate (m³/h – Cubic Meters/Hour):
–
Cross-Sectional Area (sq. ft):
–
How to Calculate Pipeline Flow Rate
Understanding the volumetric flow rate of a liquid through a pipeline is a fundamental requirement in fluid mechanics, civil engineering, and process plant design. Whether you are sizing a water pump, designing an irrigation system, or monitoring an industrial chemical process, knowing the relationship between pipe size, velocity, and flow rate is essential.
This calculator determines the Volumetric Flow Rate (Q), which is the volume of fluid which passes per unit time.
The Flow Rate Formula
The calculation is based on the fundamental continuity equation for incompressible fluids:
Q = A × v
Where:
- Q = Volumetric Flow Rate (e.g., cubic feet per second or GPM)
- A = Cross-sectional Area of the pipe
- v = Average Velocity of the fluid
Calculation Steps
To perform this calculation manually, follow these steps:
- Convert Diameter to Radius: If you have the Inner Diameter (ID) in inches, divide by 2 to get the radius, then divide by 12 to convert inches to feet (since velocity is usually in ft/sec).
- Calculate Area: Use the formula A = π × r².
- Multiply by Velocity: Multiply the Area (sq. ft) by the Velocity (ft/sec) to get the Flow Rate in Cubic Feet per Second (CFS).
- Convert Units: Multiply CFS by 448.831 to convert to US Gallons Per Minute (GPM).
Example Calculation
Imagine you have a 4-inch schedule 40 pipe (approximate ID of 4.026 inches, simplified to 4.0 for this example) with water flowing at a velocity of 5 ft/sec.
- Diameter: 4 inches = 0.333 feet.
- Radius: 0.1667 feet.
- Area: π × (0.1667)² ≈ 0.0873 sq. ft.
- Flow Rate (CFS): 0.0873 sq. ft × 5 ft/s = 0.4365 cfs.
- Flow Rate (GPM): 0.4365 × 448.831 ≈ 196 GPM.
Typical Velocity Ranges
When designing piping systems, maintaining appropriate fluid velocity is crucial to prevent erosion (if too fast) or sediment buildup (if too slow).
- Water Mains: 2 to 5 ft/sec
- Industrial Suction Lines: 2 to 4 ft/sec
- Industrial Discharge Lines: 4 to 9 ft/sec
- Slurry/Solids: Higher velocities required to keep solids suspended.