1. What is a Mass Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the mass flow rate (lb/hr) from velocity and cross-sectional area measurements, with intermediate calculation of volumetric flow rate (GPM).

Purpose: Essential for fluid dynamics calculations in engineering, HVAC systems, and industrial processes where mass flow rate needs to be determined from pressure-derived velocity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses two key formulas:

Where:

• \( W \) — Mass flow rate (pounds per hour)
• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (gallons per minute)
• \( V \) — Velocity (feet per second)
• \( A \) — Cross-sectional area (square feet)

Explanation: First converts velocity to GPM, then converts GPM to mass flow rate assuming water density (8.34 lb/gal).

3. Importance of Mass Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate mass flow rate calculations are critical for system design, process control, and equipment sizing in fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the fluid velocity in ft/s and pipe/duct cross-sectional area in ft². All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does the 448.83 conversion factor represent?
A: It converts ft³/s to GPM (1 ft³/s = 448.83 GPM).

Q2: Why multiply by 8.34 and 60?
A: 8.34 lb/gal is water density, and 60 converts minutes to hours for lb/hr output.

Q3: Can this be used for fluids other than water?
A: Yes, but you'll need to adjust the density factor (8.34) for the specific fluid.

Q4: How is velocity typically measured?
A: Velocity can be measured directly or derived from pressure differential using Bernoulli's principle.

Q5: What's the relationship to pressure?
A: Velocity (V) is often calculated from pressure measurements in fluid systems using \( V = \sqrt{2\Delta P/\rho} \).