Väljavool

Väljavool is a term used to describe the flow of liquid leaving a system. In Estonian, it serves as the counterpart to sissevool (inflow) and is used across disciplines to denote discharge, drainage, or efflux from a container, basin, vessel, or organ.

In hydrology and watershed management, väljavool refers to the discharge of water from a drainage basin at the outlet. It is influenced by precipitation, evapotranspiration, and changes in storage within the basin and is typically measured as discharge in cubic meters per second (m3/s). The basic principle in basin analysis is that inflow minus outflow plus changes in storage equals zero.

In civil and environmental engineering, väljavool describes the volume of fluid leaving a pipe, tank, or treatment facility per unit time. Engineers design systems to accommodate expected outflow, prevent overflows, maintain appropriate pressure, and manage backflow risks. Factors such as pressure differential, pipe diameter, roughness, and valve settings affect outflow rates.

In biological contexts, the term is used more generally to describe the movement of fluids out of a structure, such as secretions from a gland, drainage from a wound, or the efflux of body fluids through ducts. The precise terminology and measurements vary by organ system and application.

Understanding väljavool involves measuring flow rates, identifying driving forces, and relating outflow to inflow and storage within a system.