1. What is Pump Head Pressure?

Head pressure is the pressure generated by a pump to overcome elevation changes and friction losses in a piping system. It's a crucial parameter for selecting and sizing pumps for various applications.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fundamental head pressure equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Head pressure (Pascals)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³, 1000 for water)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( H \) — Head height (meters)

Explanation: The equation calculates the static pressure generated by a column of fluid of height H. For water (ρ=1000 kg/m³), each meter of head equals approximately 9810 Pa or 9.81 kPa.

3. Importance of Head Pressure Calculation

Details: Accurate head pressure calculation is essential for proper pump selection, ensuring the pump can deliver fluid to the required height while overcoming system resistance.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density (default is 1000 kg/m³ for water), gravity (default 9.81 m/s²), and head height in meters. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between head and pressure?
A: Head is the height of fluid column a pump can create, while pressure is the force per unit area. They're related through the fluid's density.

Q2: How do I convert head pressure to other units?
A: 1 meter water column ≈ 9.81 kPa ≈ 1.42 psi. Our calculator provides results in Pascals (Pa).

Q3: Does this account for friction losses?
A: No, this calculates static head only. For complete system analysis, you need to add friction losses in pipes and fittings.

Q4: What density should I use for other fluids?
A: Use the actual density of your fluid. Common values: seawater ≈ 1025 kg/m³, oil ≈ 800-900 kg/m³.

Q5: How does elevation affect gravity?
A: Gravity varies slightly with elevation (9.78-9.83 m/s² on Earth), but 9.81 is sufficient for most calculations.