1. What is Mass Flow Rate in Fluid Mechanics?

Definition: Mass flow rate is the mass of a fluid passing through a given surface per unit time.

Purpose: It's crucial for designing and analyzing fluid systems in engineering applications like piping, HVAC, and chemical processing.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( W \) — Mass flow rate (lb/hr)
• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (gallons per minute)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (pounds per gallon)
• 60 — Conversion factor (minutes to hours)

Explanation: The volumetric flow rate is multiplied by density to get mass per minute, then converted to hours.

3. Importance of Mass Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Accurate mass flow rate calculations are essential for system design, energy calculations, and process control in fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the volumetric flow rate in GPM and fluid density in lb/gal (default 8.34 for water). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: This converts the flow rate from per-minute to per-hour basis (60 minutes in an hour).

Q2: What's a typical density for water?
A: Water is approximately 8.34 lb/gal at room temperature.

Q3: Can I use this for gases?
A: Yes, but gas densities are much lower and vary significantly with pressure and temperature.

Q4: How do I find volumetric flow rate?
A: Use flow meters or calculate from pipe velocity and cross-sectional area.

Q5: What are common applications?
A: Pump sizing, heat exchanger design, chemical dosing, and hydraulic system analysis.