1. What is Mass Flow Rate?

Definition: Mass flow rate is the mass of a substance that passes per unit of time, typically measured in pounds per hour (lb/hr) or kilograms per hour (kg/hr).

Purpose: It's crucial in fluid dynamics, chemical engineering, and process control to measure and control the movement of materials in systems.

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, GPM)
• \( \rho \) — Density of the fluid (pounds per gallon, lb/gal)
• \( 60 \) — Conversion factor (minutes to hours)

Explanation: The formula converts volumetric flow rate to mass flow rate by accounting for the fluid's density and converting the time unit from minutes to hours.

3. Importance of Mass Flow Rate

Details: Accurate mass flow rate calculations are essential for system design, process control, material balance calculations, and ensuring proper equipment sizing in industrial applications.

4. Using the Calculator

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

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why multiply by 60 in the formula?
A: The 60 converts minutes (from GPM) to hours (for lb/hr), as mass flow rate is typically expressed per hour.

Q2: What's the typical density of water?
A: Water has a density of about 8.34 lb/gal at standard conditions (60°F, 1 atm).

Q3: How do I find the volumetric flow rate?
A: Use flow meters, or calculate from pipe diameter and velocity using Q = A × v.

Q4: Can I use this for gases?
A: For gases, you'll need to account for compressibility and use standard temperature/pressure conditions.

Q5: What if my density is in different units?
A: Convert to lb/gal before using the calculator (1 lb/gal = 119.826 kg/m³).