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ACFM To SCFM Conversion PDF
ACFM To SCFM Conversion PDF
ACFM (Actual Cubic Feet per Minute) is the flow of a gas/vapor stream at the “actual”
measured pressure and temperature conditions. 500 ACFM @ 100oF and 24”HgV is an example
of ACFM (volume occupied by gas flow under stated conditions).
SCFM (Standard Cubic Feet per Minute) is flow of a gas/vapor stream, where the temperature
and pressure are corrected to “standard conditions”. Standard temperature is usually considered
60oF, and standard pressure is usually 29.92”HgAbs, (or 14.7 psia). SCFM is the volume the gas
would occupy if the mass flow were brought to standard temperature and pressure conditions.
Ideal gas laws govern the expansion and contraction of gases due to changes in pressure and
temperature. The Ideal Gas Law states:
PV = mRT, where:
P = pressure (“HgA)
V = volume (CFM)
M = mass (lb/min flow)
R = gas constant
T = temperature (oR)
To convert ACFM to SCFM, and SCFM to ACFM, our formula can be simplified:
P 1 ×V1 P2 × V 2
=
T1 T2
where:
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Section 9 - Technical Reference
P 1 × V1 P2 × V 2
=
T1 T2
P T1
V1 = V 2 × 2 ×
P1 T2
5.92 560
V1 = 500 × ×
29.92 520
V1 = 106.54 SCFM
So, 500 ACFM @ 100oF and 24”HgV is equal to 106.54 SCFM, which represents a factor of
4.69 to one. Selecting the wrong units of measure in this example could result in selecting a
system that was over-sized or under-sized by a factor of 4.69.
It becomes quite clear why the proper units must be used when sizing and specifying vacuum
systems. The greater the vacuum level, the greater will be the difference between ACFM and
SCFM. Systems operating fairly close to atmospheric pressure may be more forgiving of error,
but the same principles still apply.
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Section 9 - Technical Reference
SCFM – ACFM Conversion Chart
"HgV "HgAbs Torr Factor
0.00 29.92 760.0 1.00
1.00 28.92 734.6 1.03
2.00 27.92 709.2 1.07
3.00 26.92 683.8 1.11
4.00 25.92 658.4 1.15
5.00 24.92 633.0 1.20
6.00 23.92 607.6 1.25
7.00 22.92 582.2 1.31
8.00 21.92 556.8 1.36
9.00 20.92 531.4 1.43
10.00 19.92 506.0 1.50
11.00 18.92 480.6 1.58
12.00 17.92 455.2 1.67
13.00 16.92 429.8 1.77
14.00 15.92 404.4 1.88
15.00 14.92 379.0 2.01
16.00 13.92 353.6 2.15
17.00 12.92 328.2 2.32
18.00 11.92 302.8 2.51
19.00 10.92 277.4 2.74
20.00 9.92 252.0 3.02
21.00 8.92 226.6 3.35
22.00 7.92 201.2 3.78
23.00 6.92 175.8 4.32
24.00 5.92 150.4 5.05
25.00 4.92 125.0 6.08
26.00 3.92 99.6 7.63
27.00 2.92 74.2 10.25
28.00 1.92 48.8 15.58
29.00 0.92 23.4 32.52
29.50 0.42 10.7 71.24
29.60 0.32 8.13 93.50
29.70 0.22 5.59 136.00
29.80 0.12 3.05 249.33
29.90 0.02 0.51 1496.00
29.91 0.01 0.25 2992.00
(Above conversions based on 60oF air at sea level.)
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Section 9 - Technical Reference
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
0
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
Inches of Mercury Vacuum
70.0
60.0
50.0
Factor
40.0
30.0
20.0
10.0
0.0
24.0
24.5
25.0
25.5
26.0
26.5
27.0
27.5
28.0
28.5
29.0
29.5
30.0
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