Answer to Question #256835 in Molecular Physics | Thermodynamics for Spyder

Question

Hello. I am a student at a university and am designing a geothermal power plant model. I just want to know, how do I calculate mass flow rate at the well? I got things like the well diameter, the pressure change, the density of the fluid (about 1000 kg/m3). Are there other components used? I've looked online for the formula of it, but every case study has a given mass flow rate, without an explanation as to how it was calculated. Would love some help with this as it's confused me for a while. Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello. The mass flow rate can be defined in terms of diameter, density, and average velocity of the fluid:

$$\dot m=\frac{\pi D^2}{4}\rho v.$$

In general, is is just flow area A times density times average velocity:

$$\dot m=A\rho v.$$

Best regards.