Understanding Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second Conversion
Cubic feet per hour () and millilitres per second () are both units of volume flow rate, which describes how much volume passes through a system in a given amount of time. Cubic feet per hour is commonly seen in ventilation, gas flow, and industrial systems, while millilitres per second is often used for smaller-scale liquid dosing, laboratory equipment, and precise fluid measurements.
Converting from to helps compare flow rates across imperial and metric systems. This is especially useful when equipment specifications, technical documents, or scientific measurements use different unit conventions.
Conversion Formula
To convert cubic feet per hour to millilitres per second, use the verified relationship:
So the conversion formula is:
For the reverse conversion:
and
Step-by-Step Example
Suppose a flow rate is .
Write the formula:
Substitute the value:
Calculate:
So,
Real-World Examples
- A small compressed air line rated at corresponds to , useful when comparing industrial airflow data with metric sensor outputs.
- A laboratory liquid transfer system operating at equals , which fits the scale of precision dosing and test bench measurements.
- A gas sampling device with a flow of converts to , making it easier to compare with metric calibration equipment.
- A ventilation or extraction subsystem moving is equivalent to , a practical figure for cross-referencing manufacturer specifications.
Interesting Facts
- The cubic foot is a traditional imperial and U.S. customary volume unit derived from the foot, which has been standardized internationally as exactly metres. Background on the foot and related customary units is available from NIST: https://www.nist.gov/pml/owm/si-units-length
- The millilitre is exactly equal to one cubic centimetre (), which makes it especially convenient in science, medicine, and laboratory work. Reference: Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Millilitre
Notes on Using This Conversion
When converting larger imperial flow values into metric units, the resulting number in can appear much larger because millilitres are a much smaller volume unit than cubic feet.
This conversion is useful in fields such as:
- HVAC and ventilation
- Gas metering
- Water treatment
- Medical and laboratory fluid systems
- Industrial process control
Because both units measure volume per unit time, the conversion does not change the physical flow itself. It only changes the way that flow is expressed.
For quick reference:
In practice, the choice of unit often depends on industry standards, region, and the scale of the process being measured.
Cubic feet per hour is often more familiar in legacy mechanical and gas systems.
Millilitres per second is often more convenient for small, precise, metric-based flow measurements.
Using the correct conversion factor ensures consistency between specifications, calculations, and instrument readings.
For this unit pair, the verified conversion factor is:
and the inverse is:
These values can be applied directly for reliable volume flow rate conversion between the two units.
How to Convert Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second
To convert Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second, use the volume flow rate conversion factor between the two units. In this case, each equals .
-
Write the given value:
Start with the flow rate you want to convert: -
Use the conversion factor:
Apply the verified factor: -
Set up the multiplication:
Multiply the given value by the conversion factor so the original unit cancels out: -
Calculate the result:
Now multiply the numbers: -
Result:
A quick tip: when converting flow rates, make sure both the volume unit and the time unit are accounted for together. Using the exact conversion factor helps avoid rounding errors in the final result.
Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second conversion table
| Cubic feet per hour (ft3/h) | Millilitres per second (ml/s) |
|---|---|
| 0 | 0 |
| 1 | 7.8657866663374 |
| 2 | 15.731573332675 |
| 3 | 23.597359999012 |
| 4 | 31.463146665349 |
| 5 | 39.328933331687 |
| 6 | 47.194719998024 |
| 7 | 55.060506664362 |
| 8 | 62.926293330699 |
| 9 | 70.792079997036 |
| 10 | 78.657866663374 |
| 15 | 117.98679999506 |
| 20 | 157.31573332675 |
| 25 | 196.64466665843 |
| 30 | 235.97359999012 |
| 40 | 314.63146665349 |
| 50 | 393.28933331687 |
| 60 | 471.94719998024 |
| 70 | 550.60506664362 |
| 80 | 629.26293330699 |
| 90 | 707.92079997036 |
| 100 | 786.57866663374 |
| 150 | 1179.8679999506 |
| 200 | 1573.1573332675 |
| 250 | 1966.4466665843 |
| 300 | 2359.7359999012 |
| 400 | 3146.3146665349 |
| 500 | 3932.8933331687 |
| 600 | 4719.4719998024 |
| 700 | 5506.0506664362 |
| 800 | 6292.6293330699 |
| 900 | 7079.2079997036 |
| 1000 | 7865.7866663374 |
| 2000 | 15731.573332675 |
| 3000 | 23597.359999012 |
| 4000 | 31463.146665349 |
| 5000 | 39328.933331687 |
| 10000 | 78657.866663374 |
| 25000 | 196644.66665843 |
| 50000 | 393289.33331687 |
| 100000 | 786578.66663374 |
| 250000 | 1966446.6665843 |
| 500000 | 3932893.3331687 |
| 1000000 | 7865786.6663374 |
What is Cubic feet per hour?
Cubic feet per hour (CFH) is a unit used to measure the volumetric flow rate. It represents the volume of a substance (gas or liquid) that passes through a specific area per hour, measured in cubic feet. It's a common unit in various fields, especially when dealing with gas and air flow.
Definition of Cubic Feet per Hour
Cubic feet per hour (CFH) is defined as the volume of a substance, measured in cubic feet, that flows past a point in one hour.
How CFH is Formed
CFH is derived from the basic units of volume (cubic feet) and time (hour). It directly expresses how many cubic feet of a substance move within one hour. No special law or constant is specifically tied to the definition of CFH itself. It is a direct measure of flow rate, useful in practical applications.
Calculating Volume Flow Rate
The volume flow rate (Q) in cubic feet per hour can be determined using the following formula:
Where:
- = Volume flow rate (ft³/hour)
- = Cross-sectional area of the flow (ft²)
- = Average velocity of the flow (ft/hour)
Another way to calculate it is:
Where:
- = Volume flow rate (ft³/hour)
- = Volume (ft³)
- = Time (hours)
Real-World Examples of CFH
- Natural Gas Consumption: Home appliances like furnaces, water heaters, and stoves are rated in terms of CFH to indicate their natural gas consumption. A typical furnace might consume 80-120 CFH of natural gas.
- HVAC Systems: Air conditioning and ventilation systems use CFH to measure the airflow rate in ductwork. A residential HVAC system might require airflow rates between 400 and 1600 CFH, depending on the size of the home.
- Compressed Air Systems: Pneumatic tools and equipment in factories use compressed air. The compressor output is often rated in CFH or cubic feet per minute (CFM, which can easily be converted to CFH by multiplying by 60) to indicate the volume of air it can supply.
- Industrial Processes: Many industrial processes, such as chemical manufacturing or food processing, involve controlling the flow rate of liquids or gases. CFH can be used to specify the desired flow rate of a particular fluid. For example, a chemical reactor might require a flow of 50 CFH of nitrogen gas.
- Ventilation Systems: Exhaust fans in bathrooms or kitchens are often rated in CFM (cubic feet per minute), which can be converted to CFH. A typical bathroom exhaust fan might be rated at 50-100 CFM, which equals 3000-6000 CFH.
What is millilitres per second?
Millilitres per second (mL/s) is a unit of volumetric flow rate, describing the volume of fluid that passes through a given point per unit of time. It's commonly used in various fields where precise measurement of small fluid volumes is essential.
Definition of Millilitres per Second
Millilitres per second (mL/s) is a derived unit. It combines the metric unit of volume, the milliliter (mL), with the SI unit of time, the second (s). One milliliter is equal to one cubic centimeter (). Therefore, 1 mL/s is equivalent to 1 cubic centimeter of fluid flowing past a point in one second.
How Millilitres per Second is Formed
The unit is formed by expressing volume in milliliters and dividing it by time in seconds.
Common Applications and Examples
- Medical Applications: Infusion pumps deliver medication at precise rates, often measured in mL/s. For instance, a doctor might prescribe an IV drip at a rate of 0.5 mL/s.
- Laboratory Experiments: Chemical reactions and experiments often require precise control over the flow of liquids. Microfluidic devices frequently operate in the mL/s range or even lower.
- Small Engine Fuel Consumption: The fuel consumption of a small engine, like a lawnmower, can be expressed in mL/s. For example, an engine might consume 2 mL/s of gasoline at idle.
- 3D Printing: In material extrusion 3D printing, the flow rate of the melted filament is often controlled and can be expressed in mL/s.
- Water flow from faucets: A slowly dripping faucet might release water at a rate of approximately 0.1 mL/s. A fully open faucet might release water at a rate of 200 mL/s.
Relationship to Other Units
Millilitres per second can be converted to other volumetric flow rate units:
- Liters per second (L/s): 1 L/s = 1000 mL/s
- Cubic meters per second (): 1 = 1,000,000 mL/s
- Gallons per minute (GPM): 1 GPM ≈ 0.0630902 L/s ≈ 63.0902 mL/s
Notable Figures and Laws
While no specific law is directly associated with milliliters per second, the concept of flow rate is fundamental in fluid dynamics. Key figures in this field include:
- Daniel Bernoulli: Known for Bernoulli's principle, which relates fluid speed to pressure.
- Osborne Reynolds: Known for the Reynolds number, which helps predict flow patterns in fluids.
For further reading on fluid dynamics, refer to Introduction to Fluid Dynamics on The LibreTexts libraries.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the formula to convert Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second?
To convert Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second, multiply the flow rate in ft$^3$/h by the verified factor . The formula is . This gives the equivalent flow rate in Millilitres per second.
How many Millilitres per second are in 1 Cubic foot per hour?
There are exactly ml/s in ft$^3$/h based on the verified conversion factor. This means a flow of one cubic foot each hour is a little under eight millilitres per second. It is a useful benchmark for quick estimates.
Why would I convert Cubic feet per hour to Millilitres per second?
This conversion is helpful when comparing gas or liquid flow rates across systems that use different unit standards. For example, lab equipment, medical devices, and small dosing systems often use ml/s, while some industrial specifications may list ft$^3$/h. Converting makes the values easier to compare directly.
How do I convert a larger flow rate from ft$^3$/h to ml/s?
Multiply the number of ft$^3$/h by to get ml/s. For example, if a device is rated in cubic feet per hour, applying that factor converts it into a smaller per-second metric unit. This is especially useful for precise flow monitoring.
Is the ft$^3$/h to ml/s conversion factor always the same?
Yes, the unit conversion factor itself is constant: ft$^3$/h ml/s. It does not change with the type of fluid because it is a mathematical relationship between volume and time units. However, real-world measured flow behavior may still vary due to temperature, pressure, or equipment conditions.