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Pump Head Equation:
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Pump head is a measurement of the height of a liquid column that the pump can create from the kinetic energy the pump generates. It's an important parameter when selecting pumps for sale, as it determines the pump's ability to move fluid through a system.
The calculator uses the pump head equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation converts pressure (psi) to head (feet) while accounting for the fluid's specific gravity. The constant 2.31 comes from the conversion factor between psi and feet of water.
Details: Accurate pump head calculation is crucial for selecting the right pump for your application. It helps determine if a pump can provide enough pressure to overcome system resistance and deliver fluid to the required height.
Tips: Enter pressure in psi and specific gravity (1.0 for water). For most applications, specific gravity ranges between 0.8 (light oils) to 1.3 (some acids).
Q1: Why is pump head important when buying a pump?
A: Pump head determines the pump's ability to move fluid through your system. Selecting a pump with insufficient head will result in poor performance.
Q2: What's the difference between pressure and head?
A: Head is pressure expressed as height of liquid column, independent of fluid density, while pressure is force per unit area that depends on the fluid.
Q3: How does specific gravity affect pump selection?
A: Higher specific gravity fluids require more energy to pump, affecting the power requirements and potentially the materials needed.
Q4: Can I use this for viscous fluids?
A: This calculation works best for low-viscosity fluids. For viscous fluids, additional corrections are needed.
Q5: What if my system has elevation changes?
A: You'll need to add the static head (height difference) to your total system head calculation.