1. What is Fuel Pump Horsepower?

Fuel pump horsepower calculation determines the maximum engine power that can be supported by a fuel pump based on its flow rate, the fuel density, and the engine's brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC). This helps ensure the fuel pump can deliver adequate fuel for the engine's requirements.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Flow\ Rate \) — Fuel pump flow rate in gallons per hour (GPH)
• \( Density \) — Fuel density in pounds per gallon (lb/gal)
• \( BSFC \) — Brake specific fuel consumption in lb/HP-h

Explanation: The formula calculates how much horsepower the fuel pump can support by considering how much fuel it can deliver (flow rate), how heavy the fuel is (density), and how efficiently the engine uses fuel (BSFC).

3. Importance of Proper Fuel Pump Sizing

Details: Correct fuel pump sizing is critical for engine performance. An undersized pump can cause fuel starvation at high power levels, while an oversized pump may lead to unnecessary weight and power consumption.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For gasoline, typical density is 6.2 lb/gal
• BSFC typically ranges from 0.4-0.6 lb/HP-h for naturally aspirated engines
• Forced induction engines may have higher BSFC values (0.5-0.7)
• Always add a safety margin (10-20%) to the calculated horsepower

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is BSFC and how do I determine it?
A: Brake Specific Fuel Consumption measures how efficiently an engine uses fuel. It can be found in engine specifications or measured during dyno testing.

Q2: How does fuel type affect the calculation?
A: Different fuels have different densities (gasoline ~6.2 lb/gal, diesel ~7.1 lb/gal, ethanol ~6.6 lb/gal). Always use the correct density for your fuel.

Q3: Should I use pump flow rate at system pressure?
A: Yes, use the flow rate at your actual operating pressure, as pump flow decreases with increasing pressure.

Q4: How much safety margin should I add?
A: Typically 10-20% extra capacity is recommended to account for pump wear, voltage fluctuations, and unexpected power increases.

Q5: Does this account for fuel return systems?
A: No, this calculates total fuel requirement. Return systems may require higher flow rates to maintain pressure.