Mechanical Engineering

Fluid Mechanics : Flow Rate

Volumetric flow rate is measured in cubic meter per second and can be expressed in mathematical form as follows :

The equation is only valid for 1D flow, where the velocity varies only in the x-direction. 1D velocity is always expressed as a constant value. For 2D flow, the velocity varies in y-direction, which is expressed as v(y).

At steady-state condition, the net volumetric flow rate at the inlet and outlet of the control volume does not change with respect to time. This means no accumulation of fluid is occurring in the control volume.