Calculator

Filling and flow rate calculator

It converts the volume per container and the filling rate into the product flow the filler must move and into hourly output. It is the first number needed to size pumps, buffer tank, piping and number of nozzles.

Pre-selection and estimation tool. Check the result against the real data of your product and manufacturer.

Formulas

• Flow rate (L/min) = volume per container (ml) × containers/min ÷ 1000
• Flow rate (m³/h) = volume (ml) × containers/min × 60 ÷ 1,000,000
• Output (containers/h) = containers/min × 60
• Time per 1,000 containers (min) = 1000 ÷ containers/min

Worked example

A line filling 500 ml bottles at 40 containers per minute moves 20 L/min (1.2 m³/h), produces 2,400 containers per hour and takes 25 minutes to complete 1,000 containers. With that flow rate the feed pump is chosen and the buffer tank is checked against drum or batch changeover stops.

Limits and how to use it

• The flow rate is an average: during the filling cycle the instantaneous flow per nozzle is higher, because the container is not being filled during the whole cycle.
• It does not include line efficiency: use the line output calculator to go from theoretical to real.
• For foaming or very viscous products the filling time governs over the flow rate: the nozzle and the number of heads are sized separately.

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