Consider the steady-state conservative system shown in Figure 2. The system contained within the boundaries might be a lake, a section of a free flowing stream, or the mass of air... Consider the steady-state conservative system shown in Figure 2. The system contained within the boundaries might be a lake, a section of a free flowing stream, or the mass of air above a city. One input to the system is a stream with a flow rate Qs (volume/time) and pollutant concentration Cs (mass/volume). The other input is a waste stream with flow rate Qw and pollutant concentration Cw. The output is a mixture with flow rate Qm and pollutant concentration Cm. If the pollutant is conservative and we assume steady state conditions, what mass balance equation can be written for this system?
Understand the Problem
The question is focused on understanding a mass balance equation in a steady-state conservative system. It discusses the input and output rates of water and pollutants in a system and how these rates can be expressed mathematically.
Answer
CsQs + CwQw = CmQm
The mass balance equation for the steady-state conservative system is CsQs + CwQw = CmQm.
Answer for screen readers
The mass balance equation for the steady-state conservative system is CsQs + CwQw = CmQm.
More Information
This equation is based on the principle of conservation of mass in a steady-state system where input equals output and no accumulation occurs within the system.
Tips
A common mistake is forgetting that the system is at steady state, so inputs and outputs are equal.
Sources
- Mass Balances Reading - Creating Web Pages in your Account - web.cecs.pdx.edu
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