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Plant Engineering Calculator

Updated Sep 18, 2026

Compressed Air Demand Profile Calculator — Weighted CFM, Peak & Load Factor

Combine four demand periods into time-weighted average flow, peak flow, daily air volume and load factor for compressor planning.

Live calculationWorking shownPrivate in browser

Inputs

Results

Weighted average flow 333.33333 m³/h
Peak flow 600 m³/h
Cycle air volume 8,000 m³
Load factor 55.555556%
Profile hours 24 h
More actions

Shared links reopen these inputs. Recent and saved calculations stay in this browser unless you clear site data.

Formula

Qavg=Σ(Qi×hi)/Σhi; load factor=Qavg/Qpeak.

Your calculation, step by step

These steps use the values currently entered above so the result can be checked independently.

  1. 1.Time-weighted volume = 600×4 + 400×8 + 250×8 + 100×4 = 8,000 m³.
  2. 2.Profile hours = 4 + 8 + 8 + 4 = 24 h; average = 8,000 ÷ 24 = 333.33333 m³/h.
  3. 3.Peak = 600 m³/h; load factor = 333.33333 ÷ 600 = 55.555556%.

How to use this calculator

  1. Enter measured or design values using the units shown beside each field.
  2. Review the live results and the substituted calculation steps before using the estimate.
  3. Check the assumptions below, then continue to a related calculator when the next engineering decision needs another model.

Worked example

Four operating periods reveal why average demand can be far below peak nameplate demand.

Assumptions and limits

  • Entered periods should represent a complete operating cycle.
  • Use logged flow/pressure data for investment-grade sequencing decisions.

How to interpret the result

Treat the primary result as an engineering screening value, then use the secondary outputs to understand scale, energy or operating impact. Confirm site measurements, equipment limits and applicable standards before making a design or control change.

Questions engineers ask

Why use a weighted demand profile instead of average CFM readings?

Time weighting preserves how long each operating state lasts. A short peak and a long low-load period should not contribute equally to daily average flow.

What does load factor tell me?

Load factor is weighted average flow divided by peak flow. A low value flags a peaky system where storage, sequencing or trim-compressor strategy may matter more than total installed capacity.

Should leak demand be entered separately?

Enter the measured total flow for each period unless you have reliable component data. A separate leak estimate is useful when evaluating remediation, but it should not be double-counted in the demand periods.

Continue the calculation

Use the next calculator in the same engineering workflow instead of restarting from search.

air compressor sequencingcompressor specific powercompressed air storage capacity
Methodology. MAXScanner shows the governing formula, entered values and calculation outputs so the estimate is auditable. The calculator is a screening aid; assumptions and equipment-specific limits remain part of the engineering review.