1. What is Pump Power?

Pump power is the energy required by a pump to move a fluid at a certain flow rate against a specific head (height). It's a crucial parameter in pump selection and system design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power formula:

Where:

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

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

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation ensures proper pump selection, prevents under/over-sizing, and helps estimate energy costs.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For water, density is typically 1000 kg/m³
• Efficiency typically ranges 0.7-0.9 for centrifugal pumps
• Convert flow units to m³/s (1 m³/s = 1000 L/s)

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's typical pump efficiency?
A: Centrifugal pumps: 70-90%, positive displacement pumps: 80-95%. Efficiency decreases with wear.

Q2: How does viscosity affect power?
A: Higher viscosity fluids require more power. This calculator is most accurate for water-like fluids.

Q3: What's included in total head?
A: Static head + friction losses + pressure differences. It's the total energy the pump must provide.

Q4: Can I use this for other fluids?
A: Yes, but use correct density (e.g., oil ~800 kg/m³, seawater ~1025 kg/m³).

Q5: Why is power in kW?
A: kW is standard for pump power. 1 kW = 1.341 HP if you need horsepower.