Mass flow rate is a critical parameter in process engineering, representing the mass of a substance passing through a specific cross-sectional area per unit of time. The conversion between the SI unit, kilograms per second (kg/s), and the Imperial unit, pounds per hour (lb/h), is frequently required when integrating international equipment specifications.
Kilogram per second (kg/s): The standard SI unit for mass flow, commonly used in scientific research and large-scale industrial process modeling.
Pound per hour (lb/h): A common unit in the oil, gas, and HVAC industries, particularly in North American engineering standards.
To convert between these units, we utilize the relationship where \(1 \text{ kg/s} \approx 7936.64 \text{ lb/h}\). This factor is derived from the precise definitions of the pound mass (0.45359237 kg) and the conversion of seconds to hours (3600 s/h).
Kilogram per second to Pound per hour Conversion Reference Table
Kilogram per second (kg/s)
Pound per hour (lb/h)
0.1
793.6641
0.5
3968.3207
1.0
7936.6414
2.0
15873.2828
5.0
39683.2071
10.0
79366.4141
20.0
158732.8282
50.0
396832.0705
100.0
793664.1411
500.0
3.9683e+06
1000.0
7.9366e+06
Step-by-Step Conversion Example
To convert a mass flow rate of 10 kg/s into lb/h, follow these steps:
Identify the given value: \(10 \text{ kg/s}\).
Apply the conversion factor: \(7936.641410659913 \text{ lb/h per kg/s}\).
Multiply the values: \(10 \times 7936.641410659913\).
The factor is derived by dividing 3600 seconds (one hour) by 0.45359237 (the exact kilogram equivalent of one pound). This yields the precise multiplier used to scale SI mass flow rates to Imperial units.
Use kg/s for scientific calculations and international projects following SI standards. Use lb/h when working with legacy American industrial equipment, piping specifications, or specific regulatory reporting requirements in the United States.
"On fait la science avec des faits, comme on fait une maison avec des pierres ; mais une accumulation de faits n'est pas plus une science qu'un tas de pierres n'est une maison." "Science is built up of facts, as a house is built of stones; but an accumulation of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house." — Henri Poincaré (French Mathematician, Theoretical Physicist & Mining Engineer)