1. What is Gravity Pipe Flow?

Gravity pipe flow refers to the movement of liquid through a pipe system driven solely by gravitational force, without any mechanical pumping. This occurs when there's a difference in elevation (head) between the inlet and outlet of the pipe.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the gravity flow equation:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area of pipe (m²)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Head or height difference (m)

Explanation: The equation calculates the theoretical maximum flow rate under ideal conditions, assuming no friction losses or other energy losses in the system.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Calculating flow rate in gravity-fed systems is essential for designing water supply systems, irrigation systems, and drainage systems where pumps are not used or not available.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the cross-sectional area of the pipe in square meters and the head (height difference) in meters. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What are typical applications of gravity flow?
A: Common applications include water supply from elevated tanks, natural water distribution systems, and gravity-fed irrigation systems.

Q2: How accurate is this calculation?
A: This provides theoretical maximum flow. Actual flow will be less due to friction, pipe roughness, bends, and other factors.

Q3: What if my pipe isn't circular?
A: The equation works for any cross-sectional shape - just use the correct area calculation for your pipe shape.

Q4: Does pipe length affect the flow rate?
A: Not in this simplified equation, but in reality, longer pipes have more friction loss which reduces flow rate.

Q5: What's the maximum head this can calculate?
A: There's no theoretical maximum, but at very high heads, other factors like fluid compressibility might become significant.