Flow measures how much liquid or gas passes through a system within a specific period. From the flow of water through pipes to the movement of air in ventilation systems, flow is essential in numerous industries. Measured in liters per second or cubic meters per hour, it helps engineers design efficient systems and maintain proper circulation.
- Cubic Meter per Second (m³/s): The standard SI unit of volumetric flow rate, measuring how much volume of a fluid passes through a surface per second. For example, river flow rates are often measured in cubic meters per second, such as a small river flowing at 5 m³/s.
- Cubic Feet per Second (ft³/s): A unit used primarily in the United States, where 1 cubic foot per second is equivalent to approximately 0.0283 m³/s. This unit is commonly used to measure water flow in streams and aqueducts.
- Liter per Minute (L/min): A metric unit measuring the flow rate in liters per minute. It’s commonly used in healthcare and laboratories to measure fluid flow, such as oxygen delivery, where a flow rate might be set to 2 L/min.
- Gallon per Minute (GPM): A unit often used in plumbing and industrial applications, especially in the U.S. For example, a residential shower head might have a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute.
- Liter per Second (L/s): Another metric unit that measures flow rate per second, often used in environmental studies and engineering applications. For example, wastewater treatment plants may handle flows in terms of liters per second to ensure efficient processing.
