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Mass Calculations

Environmental Engineering · FE Reference Handbook section

Environmental Engineering
18 formulas
10 exam-style examples
~60 min
All Environmental Engineering lectures

Core formulas for this FE topic

Definitions, applicability, units, assumptions and worked examples for each relation.

Worked exam-style examples

The four ways this section is written on the real exam — thoughts first, then equations, then substitution.

Example 1
Mass Calculations — solve for mass loading — Mass Calculations

mass calculations for BOD loading on a treatment plant Given concentration (C) = 351.0 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 33.6000 MGD, determine the mass loading (M) in lb/day.

Given

  • concentration(C)=351.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 351.0 mg/L
  • flowrate(Q)=33.6000MGDflow rate (Q) = 33.6000 MGD

Find

mass loading (M), in lb/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except M is given, so isolate M symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for M:

    M=C Q (8.34)M = C\,Q\,(8.34)
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=351.0mg/L,flowrate(Q)=33.6000MGDList the givens: concentration (C) = 351.0 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 33.6000 MGD
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    M=351.0 33.6000 (8.34)M = 351.0\,33.6000\,(8.34)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    M=98359 lb/dayM = 98359\ \text{lb/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning M = 98,359 lb/day to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
M=98359 lb/dayM = 98359\ \text{lb/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 196,717 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 49,179 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 108,194 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 2
Mass Calculations — solve for concentration — Mass Calculations (2)

mass calculations converting mg/L concentration and MGD flow to lb/day Given flow rate (Q) = 39.6000 MGD; mass loading (M) = 358.0 lb/day, determine the concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=39.6000MGDflow rate (Q) = 39.6000 MGD
  • massloading(M)=358.0lb/daymass loading (M) = 358.0 lb/day

Find

concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for C:

    C=M8.34 QC = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,Q}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=39.6000MGD,massloading(M)=358.0lb/dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 39.6000 MGD, mass loading (M) = 358.0 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    C=358.08.34 39.6000C = \dfrac{358.0}{8.34\,39.6000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=1.0840 mg/LC = 1.0840\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 1.0840 mg/L to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=1.0840 mg/LC = 1.0840\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 2.1680 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.5420 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.1924 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 3
Mass Calculations — solve for flow rate — Mass Calculations (3)

pollutant mass loading calculation for a discharge permit Given concentration (C) = 287.0 mg/L; mass loading (M) = 10,656 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.

Given

  • concentration(C)=287.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 287.0 mg/L
  • massloading(M)=10,656lb/daymass loading (M) = 10,656 lb/day

Find

flow rate (Q), in MGD

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:

    Q=M8.34 CQ = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,C}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=287.0mg/L,massloading(M)=10,656lb/dayList the givens: concentration (C) = 287.0 mg/L, mass loading (M) = 10,656 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Q=106568.34 287.0Q = \dfrac{10656}{8.34\,287.0}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=4.4519 MGDQ = 4.4519\ \text{MGD}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 4.4519 MGD to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=4.4519 MGDQ = 4.4519\ \text{MGD}

Why the other options are there

  • 8.9038 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 2.2260 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 4.8971 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 4
Mass Calculations — solve for mass loading (case 2) — Mass Calculations (4)

mass calculations for BOD loading on a treatment plant Given concentration (C) = 267.0 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 37.1000 MGD, determine the mass loading (M) in lb/day.

Given

  • concentration(C)=267.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 267.0 mg/L
  • flowrate(Q)=37.1000MGDflow rate (Q) = 37.1000 MGD

Find

mass loading (M), in lb/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except M is given, so isolate M symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for M:

    M=C Q (8.34)M = C\,Q\,(8.34)
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=267.0mg/L,flowrate(Q)=37.1000MGDList the givens: concentration (C) = 267.0 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 37.1000 MGD
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    M=267.0 37.1000 (8.34)M = 267.0\,37.1000\,(8.34)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    M=82614 lb/dayM = 82614\ \text{lb/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning M = 82,614 lb/day to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
M=82614 lb/dayM = 82614\ \text{lb/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 165,227 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 41,307 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 90,875 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 5
Mass Calculations — solve for concentration (case 2) — Mass Calculations (5)

mass calculations converting mg/L concentration and MGD flow to lb/day Given flow rate (Q) = 5.6000 MGD; mass loading (M) = 28,825 lb/day, determine the concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=5.6000MGDflow rate (Q) = 5.6000 MGD
  • massloading(M)=28,825lb/daymass loading (M) = 28,825 lb/day

Find

concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for C:

    C=M8.34 QC = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,Q}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=5.6000MGD,massloading(M)=28,825lb/dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 5.6000 MGD, mass loading (M) = 28,825 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    C=288258.34 5.6000C = \dfrac{28825}{8.34\,5.6000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=617.2 mg/LC = 617.2\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 617.2 mg/L to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=617.2 mg/LC = 617.2\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 1,234 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 308.6 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 678.9 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 6
Mass Calculations — solve for flow rate (case 2) — Mass Calculations (6)

pollutant mass loading calculation for a discharge permit Given concentration (C) = 471.0 mg/L; mass loading (M) = 30,286 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.

Given

  • concentration(C)=471.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 471.0 mg/L
  • massloading(M)=30,286lb/daymass loading (M) = 30,286 lb/day

Find

flow rate (Q), in MGD

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:

    Q=M8.34 CQ = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,C}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=471.0mg/L,massloading(M)=30,286lb/dayList the givens: concentration (C) = 471.0 mg/L, mass loading (M) = 30,286 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Q=302868.34 471.0Q = \dfrac{30286}{8.34\,471.0}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=7.7100 MGDQ = 7.7100\ \text{MGD}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 7.7100 MGD to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=7.7100 MGDQ = 7.7100\ \text{MGD}

Why the other options are there

  • 15.4200 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 3.8550 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 8.4810 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 7
Mass Calculations — solve for mass loading (case 3) — Mass Calculations (7)

mass calculations for BOD loading on a treatment plant Given concentration (C) = 497.0 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 42.9000 MGD, determine the mass loading (M) in lb/day.

Given

  • concentration(C)=497.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 497.0 mg/L
  • flowrate(Q)=42.9000MGDflow rate (Q) = 42.9000 MGD

Find

mass loading (M), in lb/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except M is given, so isolate M symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for M:

    M=C Q (8.34)M = C\,Q\,(8.34)
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=497.0mg/L,flowrate(Q)=42.9000MGDList the givens: concentration (C) = 497.0 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 42.9000 MGD
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    M=497.0 42.9000 (8.34)M = 497.0\,42.9000\,(8.34)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    M=177820 lb/dayM = 177820\ \text{lb/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning M = 177,820 lb/day to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
M=177820 lb/dayM = 177820\ \text{lb/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 355,639 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 88,910 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 195,602 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 8
Mass Calculations — solve for concentration (case 3) — Mass Calculations (8)

mass calculations converting mg/L concentration and MGD flow to lb/day Given flow rate (Q) = 49.7000 MGD; mass loading (M) = 26,161 lb/day, determine the concentration (C) in mg/L.

Given

  • flowrate(Q)=49.7000MGDflow rate (Q) = 49.7000 MGD
  • massloading(M)=26,161lb/daymass loading (M) = 26,161 lb/day

Find

concentration (C), in mg/L

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except C is given, so isolate C symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for C:

    C=M8.34 QC = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,Q}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:flowrate(Q)=49.7000MGD,massloading(M)=26,161lb/dayList the givens: flow rate (Q) = 49.7000 MGD, mass loading (M) = 26,161 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    C=261618.34 49.7000C = \dfrac{26161}{8.34\,49.7000}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    C=63.1149 mg/LC = 63.1149\ \text{mg/L}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning C = 63.1149 mg/L to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
C=63.1149 mg/LC = 63.1149\ \text{mg/L}

Why the other options are there

  • 126.2 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 31.5575 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 69.4264 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 9
Mass Calculations — solve for flow rate (case 3) — Mass Calculations (9)

pollutant mass loading calculation for a discharge permit Given concentration (C) = 142.0 mg/L; mass loading (M) = 1,574 lb/day, determine the flow rate (Q) in MGD.

Given

  • concentration(C)=142.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 142.0 mg/L
  • massloading(M)=1,574lb/daymass loading (M) = 1,574 lb/day

Find

flow rate (Q), in MGD

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except Q is given, so isolate Q symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for Q:

    Q=M8.34 CQ = \dfrac{M}{8.34\,C}
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=142.0mg/L,massloading(M)=1,574lb/dayList the givens: concentration (C) = 142.0 mg/L, mass loading (M) = 1,574 lb/day
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    Q=15748.34 142.0Q = \dfrac{1574}{8.34\,142.0}
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    Q=1.3291 MGDQ = 1.3291\ \text{MGD}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning Q = 1.3291 MGD to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
Q=1.3291 MGDQ = 1.3291\ \text{MGD}

Why the other options are there

  • 2.6582 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 0.6645 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 1.4620 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

Example 10
Mass Calculations — solve for mass loading (case 4) — Mass Calculations (10)

mass calculations for BOD loading on a treatment plant Given concentration (C) = 395.0 mg/L; flow rate (Q) = 34.6000 MGD, determine the mass loading (M) in lb/day.

Given

  • concentration(C)=395.0mg/Lconcentration (C) = 395.0 mg/L
  • flowrate(Q)=34.6000MGDflow rate (Q) = 34.6000 MGD

Find

mass loading (M), in lb/day

Start with the thinking

  • The governing relation printed in this handbook section is Mass Calculations.
  • Everything except M is given, so isolate M symbolically first — never rearrange after the numbers are in.
  • Tabulate each given with its unit and confirm the units are consistent with the relation before substituting.
  • Mass calculations convert a concentration and flow rate into a daily mass loading using the 8.34 conversion factor.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Step 1 — State the governing relation:

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34
  2. Step 2 — Rearrange symbolically for M:

    M=C Q (8.34)M = C\,Q\,(8.34)
  3. Step 3

    Listthegivens:concentration(C)=395.0mg/L,flowrate(Q)=34.6000MGDList the givens: concentration (C) = 395.0 mg/L, flow rate (Q) = 34.6000 MGD
  4. Step 4 — Substitute the given values:

    M=395.0 34.6000 (8.34)M = 395.0\,34.6000\,(8.34)
  5. Step 5 — Evaluate:

    M=113983 lb/dayM = 113983\ \text{lb/day}
  6. Step 6 — Check: returning M = 113,983 lb/day to

    M=C×Q×8.34M = C \times Q \times 8.34

    reproduces the given quantities, and both sides carry the same units.

Answer:
M=113983 lb/dayM = 113983\ \text{lb/day}

Why the other options are there

  • 227,966 — kept a factor of two that cancels in the correct rearrangement.
  • 56,991 — dropped that same factor in the other direction.
  • 125,381 — rounded an intermediate value before the final step.

Reference: FE Handbook — Mass Calculations

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