
8th Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference (TFEC)
MASS FLOW RATE MEASUREMENTS USING ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES
Abstract
A compressible flow experiment demonstrated engineering fundamentals and allowed students to perform meaningful
calculations on real experimental data. The experiment presented involved the inflow of air through a choked critical
flow venturi and into a rigid vessel. A single mass flowmeter, several pressure transducers, and thermocouples collected relevant data for the duration of the experiment. Actual experimental data and sample calculations were compared and were shown for reference. The experiment demonstrated fundamentals such as ideal gas behavior, compressible and choked flow, and isentropic processes. Four different methods to compute mass flow rate were available and allowed instructors flexibility in varying the activity for each group and from class-to-class. This experiment allowed students an opportunity to observe and apply classroom concepts and provides educators with the flexibility to easily vary the experiment. The associated ABET requirements, applicable engineering standards, and general safety issues were discussed.
KEY WORDS:
ABET, mass flow, choked flow, compressible flow, ideal gas behavior, critical flow venturi