Describe Flow Rate

In Fluid Dynamics, there consists of two types of flow rate:

Volume Flow Rate

Mass Flow Rate

Volume Flow Rate

The volume of liquid passing through a given cross-section in unit time is called the discharge. It is
measured in cubic meter per second, or similar units and denoted by Q.
Q = A
Where, Q = discharge / flowrate =

A = Area =
= velocity =
Example
If the diameter d = 15 cm and the mean velocity, = 3 m/s, calculate the actual discharge in the pipe.
(answer = 0.0531 ^3 )
=3
d = 0.0015 m
A = (^2)/4
= ((0.0015)^2)/4
= 0.0178

So,

^2

Q = A
= (0.0178)(3)
= 0.0531 ^3

Mass Flow Rate

The mass of fluid passing through a given cross section in unit time is called the mass flow rate. It is
measured in kilogram per second, or similar units and denoted by .
= A = Q
Where,

= mass flowrate =

= mass density =
A = Area =
= velocity =
Example
Oil flows through a pipe at a velocity of 1.6 m/s. The diameter of the pipe is 8 cm. Calculate discharge
and mass flow rate of oil. Take into consideration
= 0.85. (6.836 kg/s)
Q = A
=

(1.6)

= 8.04
= Q
= (1000)(0.85)
= 6.834

(8.04