Flow Monitoring Equations And Conversions

Most systems are engineered to operate at fluid velocities lower than 15 feet/second or 4.5
meters/second. This fact, along with the following set of equations, can assist with the correct
selection of a flow monitor's measuring range. Also, keep in mind that the most accurate part of a
Lake flow meter's measuring range is within the center third of the full range. (i.e. If the nominal
flow rate in a system is 10 GPM, do not purchase a flow monitor that has a full-scale flow rate of
10 GPM – order the next higher full scale range.)

Known:         Pipe I.D. (inches), Fluid Velocity (feet/second)

Unknowns:  Liquid Flow Rate (GPM)
Flow Rate (GPM) = 2.447994 x (pipe I.D.)2 x Fluid Velocity

Known:         Pipe I.D. (mm), Fluid Velocity (meters/second)

Unknowns:  Liquid Flow Rate (LPM)
Flow Rate (LPM) = 0.0471189 x (pipe I.D.)2 x Fluid Velocity

Known:         Liquid Flow Rate (GPM), Pipe I.D. (inches)

Unknowns:  Fluid Velocity (feet/second)
Fluid Velocity (ft./sec.) = (0.408498 x Flow Rate/(pipe I.D.) 2

Known:         Liquid Flow Rate (LPM), Pipe I.D. (mm)

Unknowns:  Fluid Velocity (meter/second)
Fluid Velocity (m./sec.) = (21.22291 x Flow Rate/(Pipe I.D.) 2

Known:         Pressure (PSIG), Flow Rate (GPM)

Unknowns:  Hydraulic Horsepower Development
Hydraulic Horse Power = (Pressure x Flow Rate)/1714

Known:         RPM, Pump Displacement (Cubic

Inches/Revolution)
Unknowns:  Flow Rate (GPM)
Flow Rate (GPM) = (RPM x Pump Displacement)/231

Flow Rate Related Formulas

Volume and Capacity Equivalents

Units Cubic Cubic Cubic Liters U.S. Imperial
Inches Feet Meters Gallons Gallons
 Cubic Inches 1 0.0005787 0.00001638 0.016384 0.004329 0.003607
 Cubic Feet 1728 1 0.028317 28.317 7.48052 6.23210
 Cubic Meters 61,023.4 35.3145 1 1000 264.17 220.083
 Liters 61.0234 0.0353145 0.001 1 0.264170 0.220083
 U.S. Gallons 231 0.133681 0.003875 3.78543 1 0.833111
 Imperial 277.274 0.160459 0.0045437 4.54374 1.20032 1
Gallons
 Pounds of 27.6798 0.016018 0.00045359 0.453592 0.119825 0.099828
Water

Example of How To Use This Chart:

Question: Determine the number of U.S. Gallons in a cubic meter.
Answer: Using the column labeled U.S. Gallons and the row labeled Cubic meters, the
conversion is 264.2 gallons/cubic meter

Pressure and Head Equivalents

Units psi Ft of Water Atmospheres kg/Cm2 Bar kPa
psi 1 2.3039 0.06805 0.07031 0.06895 6.89465
Feet of Water 0.4331 1 0.02947 0.03045 0.029926 2.99267
Atmospheres 14.696 33.931 1 1.0332 1.01319 101.319
2
kg/Cm 14.2234 32.840 0.96784 1 0.98062 98.062
Bar 14.5038 33.4153 0.9869 1.01976 1 100
kPa 0.14504 0.33415 0.00987 0.010198 0.01 1

Example of How To Use This Chart:

Question: Determine the psi equivalent to 10 bar of pressure.
Answer: Using the column labeled psi and the row labeled bar, the conversion factor is
14.5038 psi/bar. The equivalent pressure to 10 bar would equal 10 x 14.5038 =
145.033 psi