Mass Flow Rate Converter

What Is Mass Flow Rate

Mass flow rate measures mass passing through a cross-section per unit time. You express this property in kilograms per second (kg/s) in SI units. Common units include kg/h, lb/min, and ton/hour.

Mass flow remains constant in steady flow regardless of temperature or pressure changes. This property makes mass flow essential for chemical reactions and combustion calculations. Process control systems use mass flow for precise material balance.

Mass Flow Rate Formulas

Calculate mass flow rate from volumetric flow and density:

Where ṁ equals mass flow rate, ρ equals fluid density, and Q equals volumetric flow rate.

Calculate from velocity and area:

Example: Water (ρ = 1000 kg/m³) flows at 0.01 m³/s:

For gases, use ideal gas law to find density: ρ = P / (R × T). Where P equals pressure, R equals gas constant, and T equals absolute temperature.

Common Mass Flow Applications

Mass Flow Measurement

Coriolis flow meters measure mass flow directly using fluid inertia effects. These meters achieve high accuracy independent of fluid properties. You find Coriolis meters in custody transfer and batching applications.

Thermal mass flow meters measure heat transfer from heated elements. Gas flow carries away heat proportional to mass flow rate. These meters work well for low flow gas applications.

Differential pressure meters calculate mass flow from pressure drop across restrictions. You multiply volumetric flow by measured density. Orifice plates, venturi tubes, and flow nozzles use this principle.

Unit Conversion Factors

Frequently Asked Questions