1. What is a Gravity Water Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the flow rate of water in a gravity-fed system based on head height and pipe cross-sectional area.

Purpose: It helps engineers, plumbers, and irrigation specialists determine water flow rates for systems relying on gravity pressure.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Torricelli's law formulas:

Where:

• \( V \) — Water velocity (feet per second)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (32.174 ft/s²)
• \( h \) — Head height (feet)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute)
• \( A \) — Pipe cross-sectional area (square feet)

Explanation: The velocity is calculated from gravitational potential energy conversion, then multiplied by pipe area and conversion factor to get flow rate.

3. Importance of Gravity Flow Calculation

Details: Accurate flow rate estimation ensures proper system design for irrigation, water supply, and drainage systems without requiring pumps.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the head height (vertical drop), pipe area (πr² for circular pipes), and gravity constant (default 32.174 ft/s²). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the 448.83 conversion factor?
A: This converts cubic feet per second to gallons per minute (1 ft³/s = 448.83 GPM).

Q2: How do I calculate pipe area?
A: For circular pipes: \( A = \pi \times r^2 \) where r is radius in feet.

Q3: Does this account for friction losses?
A: No, this is theoretical maximum. Actual flow will be less due to pipe friction and turbulence.

Q4: What's a typical head height for gravity systems?
A: Residential systems often use 10-50 ft, while large-scale systems may use 100+ ft.

Q5: Can I use this for other liquids?
A: Only for water at standard conditions. Different densities would require adjustments.