1. What is Chilled Water Pump Sizing?

Chilled water pump sizing determines the required flow rate of water needed to meet the cooling demand of a system. Proper sizing ensures efficient operation and prevents energy waste.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental equation:

Where:

• 500 — Conversion factor (1 GPM water flow with 1°F ΔT transfers 500 BTU/h)
• Heat Load — Total cooling requirement in BTU per hour
• ΔT — Temperature difference between supply and return water

Explanation: The equation calculates the water flow needed to transfer the specified heat load given the system's temperature difference.

3. Importance of Proper Pump Sizing

Details: Correct pump sizing is critical for energy efficiency, system performance, and longevity. Oversized pumps waste energy while undersized pumps can't meet cooling demands.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter heat load in BTU/h and temperature difference in °F. Typical ΔT values range from 10-20°F for chilled water systems.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's a typical ΔT for chilled water systems?
A: Most systems are designed for 10-12°F ΔT, though some high-efficiency systems use 15-20°F.

Q2: How do I determine my system's heat load?
A: Heat load can be calculated from chiller capacity, building cooling load analysis, or measured from system performance data.

Q3: What's the 500 factor in the equation?
A: It's derived from water's specific heat (1 BTU/lb-°F) and density (8.33 lb/gal), with unit conversions (60 min/h).

Q4: Should I add safety factors to the calculation?
A: Professional designs often include 10-20% safety margin, but the base calculation should use actual design values.

Q5: Does this account for system pressure drop?
A: No, this only calculates flow rate. Pump head requirements must be calculated separately based on piping system characteristics.