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Difference Between Mass Flow and Volumetric Flow

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Difference Between Mass Flow and Volumetric Flow

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jyoshna.nair
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© © All Rights Reserved
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DIFFERENCE MASS FLOW AND

VOLUMETRIC FLOW

What Is The Difference Between Mass Flow and Volumetric


Flow?
A frequently asked question is: what is the difference
between volumetric flow and mass flow? And when
do you need what type of measurement? For
measuring compressed air, and technical gasses
like argon, CO2 and nitrogen, measuring mass flow
has clear advantages over measuring volumetric flow.
This article provides insight in both measurement
principles and when to use which measurement
principle, as well as know-how on how to convert one
unit into the other.

What is volumetric flow?


Volumetric flow, also referred to as actual flow, is a volume of medium moving per unit time.
Common units for volumetric flow are m3/hr, m3/min, CFM or ACFM. The volume is a substance
occupying a three-dimensional space. When the volume is a gas, this will expand or shrink with
differences in temperature and/or pressure. When temperature is raised, the space occupied by the
volume will increase. When pressure increases, the volume will decrease. Therefore, when
measuring volumetric flow, one must take into account the gas temperature and gas pressure.

What is mass flow?


Mass flow is the measure of a mass moving per unit time. This mass is represented by the number of
molecules in a substance. The mass of a gas does not vary with changes in temperature and
pressure, the weight remains the same. Mass flow rate can be expressed by e.g. kg/hr and lb/min.
Gas measurement units are calculated in standard cubic meters per hour (mn3/hr) or standard cubic
feet per minute (SCFM). Check the article “Mass Flow and Calculations” to learn more about mass
flow and calculations.

How to compare flow meter results


It is likely you have multiple flow meters installed
in your plant. For example, one near the
compressor and another one in the production
hall. How do you compare results between the two
flow meters? After all, the pressure and
temperature differ, as is shown in this graphic.
Your action depends on which kind of flow meter
It is important to take reference conditions into
account when comparing flow meters’ results.
you have.
• Volumetric flow meter: pressure and
temperature must be taken into account in
the calculations. This makes the
comparison not easy.
• Mass flow meter (with the same reference
conditions): you can directly compare the
results and no additional calculation is
necessary.

©Van Putten Instruments BV | Difference Mass Flow and Volumetric Flow | 01/18/2022
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DIFFERENCE MASS FLOW AND
VOLUMETRIC FLOW

When to use a volumetric flow meter or a mass flow meter


Volumetric flow meters are recommended when measuring volumetric flow of the gas and when
high accuracy is not needed. However, when comparing results, a volume flow meter requires
additional temperature and pressure compensation. Whereas mass flow meters measure flow rate
independent of gas pressure and temperature. Mass flow measurements are thereby more reliable
and offer a higher accuracy and repeatability.

How to convert mass flow to volumetric flow


It is clear that mass flow meters have a lot of advantages. However, a lot of people in the industry
are still used to flows in volume. This is because historically most measuring instruments measure in
volumetric flow. Fortunately, a mass flow meter can easily provide flows in volume. That is achieved
by adding the volume (a.k.a. the pipe diameter) to the flow meter.

The importance of reference conditions


Reference conditions define the mass of a gas, at a
fixed temperature and pressure. This information is
vital when comparing results. Not taking them into
account can provide results that are up to 10% off.
This is especially true for mass flow, because the mass
of 1m3 gas is defined by pressure and temperature.
Have you converted mass flow to volumetric flow?
Even then reference conditions are still important.
Read more in the article “Faulty air flow meter or did
you overlook something?” about common reasons for
faulty air flow readings.

European reference conditions


A common European reference is at 0°C and 1.013 bar. This can be referred to as the normal
reference condition. The normal reference condition is marked by an “n” as subscript in the unit, for
instance mn/sec or m n 3/hr.
Note that the European normal reference condition is not the only standard in the industry. A
different European standard reference condition is provided at 20°C and 1.013 bar. This standard
reference condition is shown by an “s” as subscript in the unit, like ls/min.

American reference conditions


The American standard reference condition is not equal to the European normal reference. It is
marked with “S” as the first letter in the unit, like SCFM. Thus, reference conditions
are 20°C and 1.000 bar.
Whereas ACFM (short for ‘actual cubic feet per minute’) is volumetric flow. Both ACFM and SCFM
are used to specify compressors, so be aware of the difference.

©Van Putten Instruments BV | Difference Mass Flow and Volumetric Flow | 01/18/2022
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DIFFERENCE MASS FLOW AND
VOLUMETRIC FLOW

VPInstruments’ mass flow meters


Mass flow measurements show significant advantages when measuring compressed air or gas.
For correctly analyzing measurement results, it is important to compare apples with apples.
Therefore, always check the measurement units: are you measuring volumetric flow or mass
flow? Ans when comparing mass flow and provide highly accurate flow readings in compressed
air, and industrial gasses like nitrogen, CO2, oxygen and more. Do you have any questions on this
topic? Do not hesitate to contact our experts via [email protected] or
www.vpinstruments.com/contact!

©Van Putten Instruments BV | Difference Mass Flow and Volumetric Flow | 01/18/2022
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