In aircraft design and engineering, “inlet mass flow rate” refers to the rate at which air or another fluid enters an aircraft’s engine or a specific component of the engine, such as a compressor or combustion chamber. It is a fundamental parameter used to characterize the flow of air or gases through the engine.
Formula for Inlet Mass Flow Rate:Inlet mass flow rate is typically measured in kilograms per second (kg/s) in the International System of Units (SI). The formula for calculating mass flow rate is straightforward:
- Mass Flow Rate (ṁ) is the rate at which mass enters the engine, measured in kilograms per second (kg/s).
- Density (ρ) is the density of the fluid entering the engine, typically measured in kilograms per cubic meter (kg/m³).
- Velocity (V) is the speed at which the fluid enters the engine, measured in meters per second (m/s).
- Cross-Sectional Area (A) represents the area through which the fluid flows, measured in square meters (m²).