Enter the CO2 gas volume and the time taken into the calculator to estimate the CO2 mass flow rate (using an assumed CO2 gas density). This calculator can also evaluate any of the variables given the others are known.
CO2 Flow Rate Formula
The following formula is used to calculate the CO2 mass flow rate from a CO2 gas volume and time.
FR = (V / T) * D
Variables:
FR is the CO2 mass flow rate (kg/s)
V is the volume of CO2 gas (m³)
T is the time taken (s)
D is the CO2 gas density (kg/m³)
To calculate the CO2 mass flow rate, first compute the volumetric flow rate V / T (in m³/s), then multiply by the CO2 density D (in kg/m³) to get kg/s. Note: CO2 density varies with temperature and pressure; this page’s calculator uses an approximate density of about 1.83 kg/m³ (near 1 atm and ~20°C).
What is a CO2 Flow Rate?
A CO2 flow rate describes how much carbon dioxide moves through a system per unit time. It can be expressed as a volumetric flow rate (for example, liters per minute (L/min) or cubic feet per minute (CFM)) or as a mass flow rate (for example, kg/s). Converting between volumetric and mass flow requires knowing (or assuming) the CO2 gas density at the relevant temperature and pressure.
How to Calculate CO2 Flow Rate?
The following steps outline how to calculate the CO2 Flow Rate.
- First, determine the volume of CO2 gas (V) in cubic meters (m^3).
- Next, determine the time taken (T) in seconds (s).
- Next, gather the formula from above: FR = (V / T) * D, where D is CO2 density (kg/m^3).
- Finally, calculate the CO2 mass Flow Rate (FR) in kilograms per second (kg/s).
- After inserting the variables and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.
Example Problem:
Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.
Volume of CO2 gas (V) = 10 m^3
Time taken (T) = 5 seconds
Assuming D = 1.83 kg/m^3, FR = (10 m^3 / 5 s) * 1.83 kg/m^3 = 3.66 kg/s.
