Volumetric Flow Triangle
All mathematical triangles work by covering over the component you want to find to reveal the equation required.
Q = A x V
A = Q / V
= Quantity
V = Q / A
All mathematical triangles require you to know two pieces of information to calculate the third.
= Area
= Velocity
Volumetric Flow Triangle
Units of Measurement
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Q = Flow Rate in cubic metres per second
A = Cross-Sectional Area in metres squared
V = Velocity in metres per second
Target velocity range for domestic heating systems is between 0.5m/s to 1.5m/s. 0.9m/s & 1m/s are widely regarded as optimal as these achieve the best balance between efficiency and energy output.
Calculating Quantity
Worked Example: Q = A x V
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Using the example covered in calculating cross-sectional area for 22mm copper pipe: A = 0.000314m2. We will use a target velocity of 0.9m/s.
0.000314 x 0.9 = 0.0002826m3/s
For the purpose of keeping the numbers more managable, we will round answers to a maximum of 6 decimal places: 0.0002826m3/s becomes 0.000283m3/s.
Calculating Area
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Worked Example: A = Q / V
Using the Quantity calculated in the previous example: Q = 0.000283m3/s V = 0.9m/s.
0.000283 / 0.9 = 0.00031444m2
For the purpose of keeping the numbers more managable, we will round answers to a maximum of 6 decimal places: 0.00031444m2 becomes 0.000314m2.
Calculating Velocity
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Worked Example: V = Q / A
Using the figures calculated in previous examples: Q = 0.000283m3/s A = 0.000314m2
0.000283 / 0.000314 = 0.90127389m/s
When dealing with flow rates it's unlikely to ever need to go above 1 decimal place: 0.90127389m/s becomes 0.9m/s.
Volumetric Flow Triangle
DEP | MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC EUROPE | UK
Created on March 12, 2025
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Transcript
Volumetric Flow Triangle
All mathematical triangles work by covering over the component you want to find to reveal the equation required.
Q = A x V
A = Q / V
= Quantity
V = Q / A
All mathematical triangles require you to know two pieces of information to calculate the third.
= Area
= Velocity
Volumetric Flow Triangle
Units of Measurement
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Q = Flow Rate in cubic metres per second
A = Cross-Sectional Area in metres squared
V = Velocity in metres per second
Target velocity range for domestic heating systems is between 0.5m/s to 1.5m/s. 0.9m/s & 1m/s are widely regarded as optimal as these achieve the best balance between efficiency and energy output.
Calculating Quantity
Worked Example: Q = A x V
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Using the example covered in calculating cross-sectional area for 22mm copper pipe: A = 0.000314m2. We will use a target velocity of 0.9m/s.
0.000314 x 0.9 = 0.0002826m3/s
For the purpose of keeping the numbers more managable, we will round answers to a maximum of 6 decimal places: 0.0002826m3/s becomes 0.000283m3/s.
Calculating Area
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Worked Example: A = Q / V
Using the Quantity calculated in the previous example: Q = 0.000283m3/s V = 0.9m/s.
0.000283 / 0.9 = 0.00031444m2
For the purpose of keeping the numbers more managable, we will round answers to a maximum of 6 decimal places: 0.00031444m2 becomes 0.000314m2.
Calculating Velocity
m3/s
m2
m/s
Q=
A=
V=
Worked Example: V = Q / A
Using the figures calculated in previous examples: Q = 0.000283m3/s A = 0.000314m2
0.000283 / 0.000314 = 0.90127389m/s
When dealing with flow rates it's unlikely to ever need to go above 1 decimal place: 0.90127389m/s becomes 0.9m/s.