1. What is the Flow Equation?

The flow equation (Flow = Velocity × Area) calculates volumetric flow rate based on linear velocity and cross-sectional area. It's fundamental in fluid dynamics and chromatography applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic flow equation:

Where:

• \( Flow \) — Volumetric flow rate (mL/min)
• \( Velocity \) — Linear velocity (cm/s)
• \( Area \) — Cross-sectional area (cm²)

Explanation: The equation converts linear velocity to volumetric flow rate by accounting for the cross-sectional area of the flow path.

3. Importance of Flow Calculation

Details: Accurate flow calculation is essential for chromatography system setup, method development, and ensuring proper solvent delivery in analytical systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter velocity in cm/s and area in cm². All values must be positive numbers. The calculator will output flow rate in mL/min.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between linear and volumetric flow?
A: Linear flow measures how fast the liquid moves (cm/s), while volumetric flow measures how much liquid moves (mL/min).

Q2: How do I measure the cross-sectional area?
A: For circular tubing, area = π × (radius)². For columns, use the internal diameter provided by the manufacturer.

Q3: Why are different units used in chromatography?
A: Linear velocity helps compare performance across different column diameters, while volumetric flow is needed for practical system setup.

Q4: Does this work for both liquid and gas chromatography?
A: The basic equation applies to both, though gas systems often require additional corrections for compressibility.

Q5: How does temperature affect the calculation?
A: Temperature affects viscosity and density, which may impact the actual flow rate, though the basic calculation remains valid.