1. What is Fuel Pump Flow Rate?

The fuel pump flow rate determines how much fuel (in gallons per hour) your pump needs to deliver to support your engine's horsepower requirements at a given brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and fuel density.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the flow rate formula:

Where:

• \( BSFC \) — Brake specific fuel consumption (lb/HP-h)
• \( HP \) — Engine horsepower
• \( Density \) — Fuel density (lb/gal)

Explanation: The equation calculates the required fuel flow based on how much fuel your engine consumes per horsepower hour and the density of your fuel.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Proper fuel pump sizing is crucial for engine performance. An undersized pump can starve the engine of fuel, while an oversized pump may cause unnecessary fuel heating and reduced efficiency.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• Typical BSFC values: 0.4-0.5 for modern fuel-injected engines, 0.5-0.6 for carbureted engines
• Gasoline density is approximately 6.0-6.3 lb/gal
• Diesel density is approximately 7.0-7.3 lb/gal

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BSFC value?
A: Most modern engines range from 0.4-0.5 lb/HP-h. High-performance engines might be 0.35-0.45, while older designs might be 0.5-0.6.

Q2: Should I add a safety margin to the calculated flow rate?
A: Yes, it's recommended to add 10-20% to account for pump wear, voltage variations, and future upgrades.

Q3: How does fuel type affect the calculation?
A: Different fuels have different densities. Gasoline is lighter than diesel, so for the same HP, diesel requires less volume flow (but more mass flow).

Q4: What about fuel pressure requirements?
A: This calculator determines flow rate only. Pressure requirements depend on your fuel system design and engine needs.

Q5: How do I convert GPH to LPH?
A: Multiply GPH by 3.785 to get liters per hour (LPH).