1. What is Pump Power Calculation?

The pump power calculation determines the energy required to move a fluid through a system. It considers fluid density, flow rate, head (height the fluid needs to be lifted), and pump efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power formula:

Where:

• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/s)
• \( H \) — Head (m)
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (0 to 1)

Explanation: The formula calculates the theoretical power required to move the fluid, then divides by the pump efficiency to get actual power requirement.

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate pump power calculation is essential for proper pump selection, energy efficiency, and system design. Oversizing pumps leads to energy waste, while undersizing causes performance issues.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For water at 20°C, use density of 998 kg/m³
• Typical pump efficiency ranges from 0.7 to 0.9
• Convert flow units to m³/s (1 m³/s = 1000 L/s)
• Head includes both static lift and friction losses

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kW and horsepower?
A: 1 kW = 1.341 horsepower. This calculator provides results in kilowatts (kW), the SI unit of power.

Q2: How does viscosity affect pump power?
A: Higher viscosity fluids require more power due to increased friction. The calculator assumes Newtonian fluids with moderate viscosity.

Q3: What is typical pump efficiency?
A: Centrifugal pumps typically range from 60-85% efficiency, while positive displacement pumps can reach 90%.

Q4: Should I include safety factors?
A: Yes, after calculating the theoretical power, engineers typically add 10-20% safety margin for system losses and future demands.

Q5: How does altitude affect the calculation?
A: Gravity (g) changes slightly with altitude, but for most applications 9.81 m/s² is sufficiently accurate.