1. What is Discharge Head?

Discharge Head is the vertical distance that a pump can move fluid after accounting for suction head. It represents the effective head available to move fluid through the discharge side of the pump system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the simple formula:

Where:

• \( \text{TDH} \) — Total Dynamic Head (ft)
• \( \text{Suction Head} \) — Vertical distance from pump centerline to fluid surface (ft)

Explanation: The total dynamic head represents the total energy the pump must provide, while suction head represents the energy already available from the suction side.

3. Importance of Discharge Head

Details: Discharge head is crucial for proper pump selection and system design. It helps determine if a pump can overcome system resistance and deliver fluid to the required elevation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter TDH and Suction Head in feet. Both values must be positive numbers. The suction head should be less than or equal to TDH for meaningful results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between discharge head and pressure?
A: Discharge head is expressed in feet of liquid column, while pressure is force per unit area. They're related but head is independent of fluid density.

Q2: Can discharge head be negative?
A: No, in normal operation discharge head should always be positive. If calculations show negative values, check your TDH and suction head measurements.

Q3: How does discharge head affect pump selection?
A: Pumps are selected based on their ability to provide the required discharge head at the desired flow rate.

Q4: What if my suction head is greater than TDH?
A: This indicates an error in measurements or system design, as the pump cannot have more suction head than total dynamic head.

Q5: Does this calculation work for all fluids?
A: The head calculation works for any fluid, but actual pressure will vary with fluid density. For viscous fluids, additional corrections may be needed.