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How to Calculate Pipe Flow Percentage

Pipes that flow liquids such as water have a maximum volume that they can flow at one time. Once that maximum flow rate is achieved, the pipe cannot flow more material. This is a function of the pipe's internal diameter. It is often useful to know the percentage of flow moving through the pipe in order to determine if more liquid can be delivered.

Things You'll Need

Pen
Paper
Calculator

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the pipe's nominal diameter in a pipeline flowing water at ambient temperature. For instance, assume the nominal diameter is 3 inches.
- 2
  Determine the normal operating flow rate of the system. This can be assumed to be 300 gallons per minute
- 3
  Determine the maximum flow of water through a 3-inch pipe. Do this by looking on the tables found in the appendix of the Crane Technical Manual No. 410. The maximum flow of water through a 3-inch pipe is 750 gallons per minute.
- 4
  Calculate the percentage of normal operating flow by dividing the normal flow rate by the maximum flow rate. This is 300 gallons per minute / 750 gallons per minute. Multiply by 100 to convert into a percentage. The pipe flow percentage is 40 percent.

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