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Mechanical Engineering vocabulary · Fluid Mechanics, Pumps and Valves

Flow rate

Meaning in mechanical engineering, with examples

nounCore term

In mechanical engineering, flow rate means: The amount of fluid that passes a point in a given time, given as a volume (for example m³/h or L/min) or as a mass (kg/s).

In Turkish: debi, akış debisi

How it is used

Used for pumps, fans, pipes and HVAC systems. Engineers measure, set and adjust the flow rate and read it from a flow meter. A pump curve shows head against flow rate. Calculations separate volumetric and mass flow rate.

Example sentences

  1. The pump delivers a flow rate of 40 m³/h at 30 m head.

  2. The cooling water flow rate is too low, so the oil temperature keeps rising.

Common collocations

  • volumetric flow rate
  • mass flow rate
  • design flow rate
  • measure the flow rate
  • flow meter
  • pumpA machine that moves liquid through pipes by adding energy to it, raising its pressure or lifting it to a higher level.
  • pressureThe force with which a liquid or gas pushes on each unit of area. It is measured in pascals, bar or psi.
  • pressure dropThe loss of pressure as a fluid flows through a pipe, filter, valve or other component, caused by friction and by changes in direction or cross-section.
  • valveA device that starts, stops or controls the flow of a liquid or gas in a pipe by opening, closing or partly blocking the passage.
  • viscosityA measure of how thick a fluid is and how strongly it resists flowing. Honey has a high viscosity and water has a low one.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Fluid Mechanics, Pumps and Valves

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