1. What is Mass Flow Rate?

Mass flow rate is the mass of a substance that passes per unit of time. Its unit is kilogram per second in SI units. It represents the amount of mass moving through a given cross-section per unit time.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the mass flow rate formula:

Where:

• \( G \) — Mass Velocity (kg/s·m²)
• \( A_T \) — Cross Sectional Area (m²)

Explanation: The mass flow rate is calculated by multiplying the mass velocity (mass flow per unit area) by the cross-sectional area through which the fluid is flowing.

3. Importance of Mass Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Mass flow rate calculation is crucial in various engineering applications including fluid dynamics, HVAC systems, chemical processing, and aerospace engineering. It helps in designing and analyzing systems where fluid transport is involved.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass velocity in kg/s·m² and cross-sectional area in m². Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the difference between mass flow rate and volumetric flow rate?
A: Mass flow rate measures the mass of fluid passing through a point per unit time (kg/s), while volumetric flow rate measures the volume of fluid passing through a point per unit time (m³/s).

Q2: How is mass velocity different from mass flow rate?
A: Mass velocity is the mass flow rate per unit cross-sectional area (kg/s·m²), while mass flow rate is the total mass passing through the entire cross-section per unit time (kg/s).

Q3: What are typical units for mass flow rate?
A: In SI units, mass flow rate is typically measured in kilograms per second (kg/s). Other common units include grams per second (g/s) or pounds per second (lb/s).

Q4: When is this calculation most commonly used?
A: This calculation is commonly used in pipe flow analysis, heat exchanger design, ventilation systems, and any application where the transport of mass needs to be quantified.

Q5: How does temperature affect mass flow rate?
A: Temperature affects fluid density, which in turn affects mass flow rate for a given volumetric flow rate. Higher temperatures generally decrease density, reducing mass flow rate for the same volumetric flow.