Difference Between CFM And SCFM

Spread the love

The acronym CFM stands for cubic feet per minute, while SCFM refers to standard cubic feet per minute. The two units of measure are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference between the two. CFM is a measure of actual airflow, while SCFM is a measure of standard airflow.

What is CFM ?

CFM stands for cubic feet per minute and is a measure of air flow. It is often used to measure the output of ventilation systems, such as HVAC units. CFM is important because it determines how much air is being moved by the system and how quickly it can do so. The higher the CFM, the more efficient the system.

What is SCFM?

SCFM stands for Standard Cubic Feet per Minute and is the most common unit of measurement for compressed air flow. It is the volume of air that is flowing through a system or device in one minute. SCFM is important to understand because it helps determine the size of the compressor needed for a specific application.

SCFM can be calculated by taking the volume of air (in cubic feet) and divide it by 60 seconds. This will give you the amount of air flowing through your system each minute. For example, if you have a 5 gallon tank, that means your system can hold 5 gallons of air. To find out how many SCFM that is, you would divide 5 by 60, which equals .083. That means your system is flowing .083 gallons per minute, or just under 1 SCFM.

Main differences between CFM and SCFM

There are two types of air flow measurements in the HVAC industry – CFM and SCFM. Here are the main differences between the two:

CFM (Cubic Feet per Minute) is a measure of volume and is calculated by multiplying the fan speed by the volume of the space it is moving through. For example, a 2,000 CFM fan will move 4,000 cubic feet of air every minute.

SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) is a measure of density and is calculated by dividing the mass flow rate by the density of air. For example, a 2,000 SCFM fan will move 2,000 pounds of air every minute.

The main difference between CFM and SCFM is that CFM measures volume while SCFM measures density.

Similar Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the best way to measure the CFM of my fan?

Measuring the CFM of a fan is important to ensure that the fan is providing the proper amount of airflow. There are two ways to measure CFM: through direct measurement or by using a formula.

Direct measurement is done by attaching a measuring device, such as a anemometer, to the outlet of the fan. The device will measure the airflow over a period of time and calculate the CFM.

The second way to measure CFM is by using a formula. This method uses the dimensions of the fan and the speed at which it is running to calculate the CFM. This method is less accurate than direct measurement, but can be used when a measuring device is not available.

In conclusion,it is important to understand the difference between CFM and SCFM when specifying an air compressor. CFM is a measure of volume and SCFM is a measure of flow. CFM measures the volume of air that passes through a system, while SCFM measures the mass or weight of air that flows through a system.