Description
Return load = concentration*flow*duration*unitFactor.
A pollutant load combines concentration with a compatible flow, volume or activity factor. A load rate has amount-per-time units, whereas an integrated load also includes duration; concentration differences alone do not describe removal when flows differ.
Return load = concentration*flow*duration*unitFactor.
When to use this tool
Use Pollutant Load Concentration Flow Term when checking one supplied emission, transport or treatment mass-balance contribution.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter concentration, flow, duration, unitFactor. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read load. Use the output convention below.
Require nonnegative concentration, flow and duration and positive unitFactor. Return load = concentration*flow*duration*unitFactor. Choose unitFactor to reconcile concentration, flow, duration and desired mass units; it is not inferred from field names.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| concentration | Amount per volume, in a unit compatible with the supplied flow or volume. | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| flow | Volume per time, on the concentration and duration unit basis used in the formula. | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| duration | Elapsed duration on the flow or rate time basis used in the formula. | Required. Finite number; minimum 0. |
| unitFactor | Explicit multiplicative conversion into the requested output unit; not inferred. | Required. Finite number; strictly above 0. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| load | Load | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"concentration": 2,
"flow": 3,
"duration": 4,
"unitFactor": 1
},
"output": {
"load": 24
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- The product assumes the supplied concentration and flow represent the whole duration. Time variation, reactions, transport loss and uncertainty are omitted; a unit mismatch produces a misleading mass even with valid numeric inputs.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Integrate changing measurements over time and reconcile storage and reactions when a constant-condition product is insufficient.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Groundwater Pump Extracted Contaminant Mass
Return pumpedVolume = flow*duration, extractedMass = pumpedVolume*concentration and capturedMass = extractedMass*capturedFraction.
- Drinking Water Concentration Intake Volume Term
Return massPerDay = concentration*volumePerDay, totalMass = massPerDay*days and massPerBodyMassDay = massPerDay/bodyMass.