Estimation of air inlekkage rate through a leak at the seal of vacuum centrifugal pump

[ElenaTER]

Dear all,

I don't have much experience in process and I need to estimate the air inlekkage rate through a pinhole leak at the seal of a vacuum centrifugal pump. System is working at deep vacuum (around 20 mbara).

Could you help me with that?

Thanks in advance

 

[Drexl]

Are you saying you have a hole with atmospheric pressure on one side and 20 mbara on the other side. If so estimate the area of the orifice and use the methods described in amongst other Crane or Perry. No time to describe in detail atm but you can show your calculations for comment if you want.

 

[racookpe1978]

Or, do you have an air leak, and you are trying to find out what equivalent size pinhole would create that much air flow at the 20 mbara?