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Air Velocity Formula:
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Air velocity in a pipe refers to the speed at which air flows through a duct or pipe system. It's a critical parameter in HVAC systems, ventilation design, and industrial applications where proper air movement is essential for system performance and efficiency.
The calculator uses the fundamental fluid dynamics equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation calculates the average velocity of air flowing through a pipe by dividing the volumetric flow rate by the cross-sectional area of the pipe.
Details: Proper air velocity calculation is essential for designing efficient ventilation systems, ensuring adequate air exchange, preventing pressure drops, minimizing energy consumption, and avoiding issues like noise and vibration in duct systems.
Tips: Enter the volumetric flow rate in cubic meters per second (m³/s) and the cross-sectional area in square meters (m²). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is a typical air velocity range for HVAC systems?
A: For residential HVAC, typical velocities range from 3-5 m/s in main ducts and 2-3 m/s in branch ducts. Commercial systems may operate at higher velocities.
Q2: How do I calculate cross-sectional area for different pipe shapes?
A: For circular pipes: A = π × r² (where r is radius). For rectangular ducts: A = width × height.
Q3: Why is air velocity important in ventilation design?
A: Proper velocity ensures efficient air distribution, prevents stagnation, minimizes energy loss, and reduces noise from air turbulence.
Q4: What happens if air velocity is too high?
A: Excessive velocity can cause noise, vibration, increased pressure drop, higher energy consumption, and potential erosion of duct materials.
Q5: How does temperature affect air velocity calculations?
A: Temperature affects air density, which influences mass flow rate. For precise calculations, temperature compensation may be needed, though this calculator uses standard conditions.