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Velocity of air through an open nozzle

  1. Jul 7, 2005 #1
    I am trying to figure the velocity of air through an open nozzle. We are contemplating using air to dry parts on an conveyer. I am curious to know how much CFM will be expeled. I have searched many of my refrence books with no success. If the compressor which is also providing air for several other pieces of equipment maintanes a pressure between 70 and 100 PSI and the nozzle is apx 1/4" in diamter what will be the velocity of the air through the nozzle? More importantly how do you relate the pressure to the velocity?
  2. jcsd
  3. Jul 8, 2005 #2
    That depends upon the actual pressure at the inlet of the nozzle and downstream pressure of the nozzle. At 100psig, it can be about 60scfm. This is a ballpark figure and you should get your hands on Crane Technical Paper 410, the best reference I have ever seen and widely referred world over. At 40USD, it is an invaluable tool.
  4. Jul 8, 2005 #3


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    You'll need to know the pressure drop at the throat of the nozzle plus the discharge coefficient for that nozzle. If it is a nozzle that is purchased from a vendor, the vendor should have an acceptable calculation for you to use. If that is not the case then you can at least get a good approximation using the standard nozzle equation:

    [tex]q = YCA \sqrt{\frac{2g(144) \Delta P}{\rho}}[/tex]

    [tex]q[/tex] = Volumetric flow in [tex]\frac{ft^3}{sec}[/tex]

    [tex]Y[/tex] = Expansion Factor

    [tex]C[/tex] = Flow coefficient. C can be calculated from the discharge coefficient by:

    [tex]C = \frac{C_d}{\sqrt{1-\beta^4}}[/tex]

    [tex]\beta[/tex] = Ratio of small to large diameters in the nozzle and pipe

    [tex]A[/tex] = Cross sectional area in ft^2

    [tex]g[/tex] = Acceleration due to gravity 32.2[tex]\frac{ft}{sec^2}[/tex]

    [tex]\Delta P[/tex] = Pressure differential across nozzle in [tex]\frac{Lb_f}{in^2}[/tex]

    [tex]\rho[/tex] = Weight density in [tex]\frac{Lb_f}{ft^3}[/tex]

    I'll reiterate Quark's suggestion to get Crane's TP. It's worth it's weight in gold.
  5. Jul 8, 2005 #4
    thanks for the help. An aproximation will be enough and I will look into the refrence suggested.

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