Related Resources: calculators

Babcock Steam Flow Rate Formula and Calculator

Fluids Engineering and Design Resources

Babcock Steam Flow Rate Formula and Calculator

An empirical equation for steam flow is the Babcock formula. It can also be used to calculate the pressure drop in steam piping.

A version of the Babcock formula in USCS (Imperial) units is as follows:

Equation 1
ΔP = 0.47 ( ( D + 3.6 ) / D⁶ ) ω² L ν

Where:

ΔP = pressure drop, psig
ω = mass flow rate, lb/s
L = pipe length, ft
D = pipe inside diameter, in
ν = specific volume, ft³/ lb

In SI units, the Babcock formula is as follows:

Equation 2
ΔP = ( 8.755 x 10⁹ ) ( D + 3.6 ) / D⁶ ω² L ν

Where:

ΔP = pressure drop, kPa
ω = mass flow rate, kg/s
L = pipe length, m
D = pipe inside diameter, mm
ν = specific volume, m³/ kg

Several other pressure drop equations are used in steam piping calculations, including the Spitzglass and Fritzche formulas. Generally, because of their ease of use, charts are used to determine the pressure drop in steam piping.

Related:

• Unwin Gas Change of Pressure Calculator and Formulas
• Gas Flow Rate Through Orifice Equations and Calculator per. ISO 5167
• Natural Gas Pipe Flow Rate Calculator
• Appliance Gas Pipe Flow Rate Capacities
• Transmission Gas Line Isothermal Flow Equations and Calculator
• Fluids Discharge Measurement Structures and Systems , Basic Principles of Fluid Flow as Applied to Measuring Systems
• Flow of Air in Pipes Equation and Calculator
• Hydraulic and Pneumatic Design and Engineering
• Flow of Compressed Air in Pipes Equation and Calculator

Reference:

• Piping Calculations Manual,
  E. Shashi Menon
  SYSTEK Technologies, Inc