1. What is a Hose Pipe Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the flow rate through a hose pipe based on fluid velocity and pipe cross-sectional area.

Purpose: It helps engineers, plumbers, and irrigation specialists calculate water flow in gallons per minute (GPM) through pipes.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (gallons per minute, GPM)
• \( V \) — Fluid velocity (feet per second, ft/s)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (square feet, ft²)
• 448.83 — Conversion factor (cubic feet to gallons and seconds to minutes)

Explanation: The formula converts the basic volumetric flow rate (V × A) into practical units of gallons per minute.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate flow rate calculations ensure proper pipe sizing, adequate water supply, and efficient system design for irrigation, fire protection, and plumbing systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the fluid velocity in ft/s and pipe cross-sectional area in ft². For circular pipes, area = π × (diameter/2)².

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical velocity for water in pipes?
A: Standard design velocities are 5-10 ft/s for supply lines and 2-5 ft/s for drainage.

Q2: How do I find the cross-sectional area?
A: For circular pipes: A = π × r² where r is the radius in feet. For diameter D in inches: A = π × (D/24)².

Q3: Why 448.83 as the conversion factor?
A: It combines 7.48052 (gallons per cubic foot) and 60 (seconds per minute): 7.48052 × 60 ≈ 448.83.

Q4: Does this account for friction losses?
A: No, this is theoretical maximum flow. Actual flow may be less due to pipe roughness and fittings.

Q5: Can I use this for other liquids?
A: Yes, but the conversion factor assumes water. For other liquids, adjust for different densities.