To calculate Air Flow in Cubic Feet per Minute (CFM), determine the Flow Velocity in feet per minute, then multiply this figure by the Duct Cross Sectional Area.

Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)

Determining Flow Velocity

The easiest way to determine Flow Velocity is to measure the Velocity Pressure in the duct with a Pitot Tube Assembly connected to a differential pressure sensor. The Pitot Tube Assembly includes a Static Pressure Probe and a Total Pressure Probe.

A Total Pressure Probe, aligned into the airflow, senses the duct velocity pressure and the static pressure, which equals the total pressure. A Static Pressure Probe aligned at a right angle to the airflow senses only the static pressure. The difference between the total pressure reading and the static pressure reading is the Velocity Pressure.

If you connect the Total Pressure Probe to the HIGH port on a differential pressure sensor and the Static Pressure Probe to the LOW port on the differential pressure sensor, then the sensor’s output will be the Velocity Pressure, as shown in the figures below.

The Flow Velocity is then determined with the following equation:

   V = 4005 x √ΔP

   V = Flow Velocity in feet per minute

   √ = Square root of the number to the right

   ΔP = The Velocity Pressure measured by the pressure sensor

Example: Measuring a Velocity Pressure of .75” W.C. equals a Flow Velocity of 3,468 Ft/Min.

   V = 4005 x √0.75

   √0.75 = 0.866 • 4005 x 0.866 = 3,468 • Flow Velocity = 3,468 Ft/Min

Determining Duct Cross Sectional Area

After obtaining the Flow Velocity from the previous procedure, that figure is now multiplied by the Duct Cross Sectional Area to determine the Air Flow in CFM.

There are two different equations for determining the Duct Cross Sectional Area, one for round ducts and one for square or rectangular ducts.

The equation for square or rectangular ducts is:

   A = X x Y

   A = Duct Cross Sectional Area

   X = Duct height in feet

   Y = Duct width in feet

The equation for a round duct is:

   A = π x r2

   A = Duct Cross Sectional Area

    π = 3.14159

   r = radius of duct in feet

Example: An 18” diameter round duct has a Duct Cross Sectional Area of 1.77 Ft2

   A = π x r2 or A = 3.14158 x .5625

   18” diameter is 1.5 feet, therefore the radius is .75 feet • r2 = 0.752 = 0.5265 • π = 3.14159

   A = 3.14159 x 0.5625 = 1.77 Ft2

Determining Air Flow in CFM

After obtaining the Flow Velocity and the Duct Cross Sectional Area from the previous two procedures, the Air Flow in CFM is determined by multiplying the two:

Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)

Example: An 18” diameter round duct with a Velocity Pressure of .75” W.C. has an Air Flow of 6,128 CFM

The Flow Velocity is 3,468 Ft/Min.

   V = 4005 x √ΔP

   V = 4005 x √0.75

   √0.75 = 0.866 • 4005 x 0.866 = 3,468 • Flow Velocity = 3,468 Ft/Min

The Duct Cross Sectional Area is 1.77 Ft2

   A = π x r2

   π = 3.14159 • r2 = 0.752 = 0.5625

   Duct Cross Sectional Area (A) = 3.14159 x 0.5625 = 1.77 Ft2

The Air Flow in CFM is 6,128 Ft3/Min

   Air Flow in CFM (Q) = Flow Velocity in Feet Per Minute (V) x Duct Cross Sectional Area (A)

   Air Flow in CFM (Q) = 3,468 Ft/Min x 1.77 Ft2 = 6,128 CFM

If you have questions regarding Air Flow solutions and/or need technical guidance, Kele has experts ready to help! Contact us today!

Featured Products