GEMI Equations Tool
GEMI Equations Tool
GEMI Equations Tool
Horsepower Calculator
Inputs
100.00 ft
200.00 gpm
50.00
252.78
187.06
Head =
Flow Rate =
Specific Gravity =
HP =
KW =
HP =
Pump Efficiency =
Brake Horsepower =
Brake KW =
SI Calculator
Inputs
30.48 meters
L
12.60 /S
3.77
5.05
Pressure =
Flow Rate =
KW =
HP =
User Input
Calculated Result
1000
Many technical references are available that can provide guidance on the use of these equations and the user should
refer to these references.
=
=
Calculate Horsepower
HP
HP
5
0.6
8.3
=
=
SI Units
Pump Discharge Pressure
30.48 meter
12.6 L/S
Kilowatts
Kilowatts
1000
3.76
Legend
/S
gpm
HP
KW
m/s
m3
m2
ft2
ft3
5 ft/sec
0.196 ft2
440.02 gpm
SI Calculator
Velocity =
Cross Sectional Area =
Inputs
1.52 m/sec
0.018 m2
27.36 L/S
Flow Rate =
User Input
Calculated Result
0.98 ft3
sec
=
440 gpm
=
=
=
SI Units
Flow M3 / S
Flow M3 / S
0.98 ft3
sec
Flow L/S
0.028 x 1000
Flow L/S
28 L/S
Legend
/S
gpm
HP
KW
m/s
m3
m2
ft2
ft3
Inputs
1000.00
0.33
0.09
300
7.02
0.02
46.36
ft
ft
ft2
gpm
ft/sec
User Input
Calculated Result
L
d
=f
hf = Friction loss (ft)
V2
2g
A simple method to estimate flowrate is the drum and stop watch method. Place a drum or container of
sufficient size (30 to 50 gallons) at the end of the pipe and estimate the time to fill the container with a stop
watch. This will provide a good method to determine the flowrate that can be used in these calculations if a
flowmeter is not available.
Sample Calculation
GEMI Water Sustainability Tool Draft (9/21/05)
Determine the friction loss of water pumped through 1,000 ft. of 4-inch diameter pipe at a 300 gpm flow rate.
Flowrate can be determined using a flowmeter or the drum and stop watch method.
The first step is to determine the velocity based on the pipes cross-sectional area.
Cross-sectional areas
=
x (pipe radius)2 Where = 3.14
Pipe diameter
=
4-inch
= .33 ft
Pipe radius
=
2-inch
Cross-sectional area
=
3.14 x (.16)
The second step is to determine the pipe velocity
= .16 ft
= .08 ft
Flow rate
Cross sectional area
Multiply the 300 gpm flow rate by .002 to convert to ft 3/sec
Pipe velocity (V)
Velocity ft/sec
=f
0.60 ft3/sec
0.60
0.08
Velocity ft/sec
=
7.5 ft/sec
Using a .02 friction factor calculate the friction loss
L
V2
=f
Velocity ft/sec
d
.02 x 1000 ft
.33 ft
52.9 ft
Legend
/S
gpm
HP
KW
m/s
m3
m2
ft2
ft3
x
x
2g
(7.5 ft/sec)
64.4
Application
Closed pipe or open channel
Service
Simple and inexpensive. Clean or dirty water
Open
channel
v-notch, Simple and inexpensive. Clean or dirty water
rectangular or cipolletti weirs
Flume
Open channel, Parshall, Palmer- Frequently used in sewers and wastewater treatment plants
Bowlus Flumes
dirty water
Orifice
Closed pipe, round flat metal disc Clean and dirty water
plate with specific hole size
Venture
Closed pipe. Section of pipe with Can be used with most liquids. Clean and dirty water. No
tampered entrance straight throat moving parts
and tampered exit
Positive Displacement
Closed pipe. Piston gear rotary or Clean water applications. Good for low flow measurement
disk type meters
Turbine
Closed pipe.
Flow passes a Clean and dirty water
shedder bar creating vortices
Magnetic
Closed pipe. Magnetic field is Difficult and corrosive liquids, slurries and sludges
created to measure conductive
liquid
Ultrasonic
Mass
Pitot Tube
Closed pipe.
meter
Coriolis principal Clean and dirty water. Mass related processes. Chemical
reactions, heat transfer applications
Closed pipe. Pressure sensing Clean water. Low cost. Susceptible to plugging
taps measure differential pressure
Selecting a Flowmeter
The first step in selecting a flow meter is to determine exactly what the meter is supposed to do. The following lists several
questions that the user should ask when selecting a meter:
How accurate of flow measurement is needed?
Is local or remote indication necessary because the flowmeter will be difficult to access?
Is the water dirty, viscous or corrosive?
Is the water conductive?
What are the operating temperatures?
Does the existing piping accommodate the flowmeter installation requirements?
It is important to understand the capabilities of the flowmeter you are selecting because each one has different advantage
and disadvantages. The flowmeter performance will vary and it may not be necessary to install an expensive flowmeter if
only a simple flow measure is needed with little concern for high accuracy. Most suppliers can assist with the right flowmeter
for a specific application.