Volume flow, also known as volumetric flow, is a measurement that quantifies the volume of a fluid (liquid or gas) that passes through a specific point in a pipeline or conduit per unit of time. It is typically expressed in units such as cubic meters per second (m³/s), cubic feet per minute (CFM), liters per second (L/s), gallons per minute (GPM), or other similar units depending on regional or industry-specific standards.
The formula for calculating volume flow is straightforward:
Volume Flow (Q) = Cross-sectional Area (A) × Velocity (V)
Where:
Q is the volume flow rate (e.g., m³/s, CFM, GPM). A is the cross-sectional area through which the fluid is flowing (e.g., square meters, square feet). V is the velocity of the fluid (e.g., meters per second, feet per minute).
In this formula, the cross-sectional area (A) represents the area of the pipe, duct, or conduit through which the fluid is passing. The velocity (V) is the speed at which the fluid is flowing through that area.
It's important to note that volume flow rate is different from mass flow rate. While volume flow measures the amount of space a fluid occupies per unit of time, mass flow rate quantifies the mass of the fluid passing through a point per unit of time. Mass flow rate takes into account the density of the fluid, which can vary depending on its composition and temperature.