Pneumatics & Hydraulics
Compressed air leak cost calculator
Air lost and yearly cost of leaks by hole size and pressure.
Calculating…
How it's calculated
Choked flow: ṁ = Cd × A × P₀ × 0.0404 ÷ √T
Free air flow = ṁ ÷ 1.2 kg/m³
Power = flow [m³/min] × specific power
Leaks are often 20–30% of a site's compressed air demand. A single 3 mm leak at 7 bar loses about 7 L/s, which takes nearly 3 kW of compressor power, all year.
The calculation uses choked flow through a sharp-edged orifice (discharge coefficient 0.65, 20 °C). If an ultrasonic leak survey gives you a measured flow, that is more reliable.