Chemical Engineer how-to

How to Do a Process Mass Balance

Mass balances find losses.

Updated By the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team
Quick answer

Mass balances find losses. In short: draw; list; gather, then complete the remaining steps below.

Step by step

  1. Draw the process.

  2. List streams.

  3. Gather flow data.

  4. Write balances.

  5. Solve.

  6. Find the gap.

Safety reminders for chemical engineers

  • Follow PSM
  • Run HAZOPs
  • Wear plant PPE
  • Follow management of change

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