The Mechanical
Engineering Handbook




Buoyancy Driven Flow Rate Calculator
























How This Is Calculated



$$ Q = \frac{\Delta T \beta g A H^3}{\mu L} $$ where:

Q   =   Volmetric Flow Rate (m³/s)

Δ T   =   Temperature Difference   (K)

β   =   Thermal Expansion Coefficient of the fluid   (K-1)

g   =   Acceleration due to gravity   (m/s²)

A   =   Cross-sectional area of column   (m²)

H   =   Height of column   (m)

μ   =   Dynamic Viscosity of fluid   (Pa s)

L   =   Characteristic Length   (m)


Assumptions



  • The system is in steady state.
  • The fluid is incompressible.
  • Fluid density is treaded as constant.
  • Flow is laminar.
  • Heat loss is neglected.


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