1. What is the Pump Power Equation?

The pump power equation calculates the hydraulic power required by a pump to move fluid at a specified flow rate against a given head, accounting for the fluid's density and the pump's efficiency.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power equation:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pump power (kW)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( Q \) — Flow rate (m³/h)
• \( H \) — Head (m)
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (0-1)

Explanation: The equation calculates the power needed to move a fluid with specific properties at a given rate against a certain pressure head, adjusted for pump efficiency.

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate pump power calculation is essential for proper pump selection, energy efficiency assessment, and system design to ensure optimal performance and avoid overloading.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter fluid density in kg/m³, flow rate in m³/h, head in meters, and pump efficiency as a decimal (0-1). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical pump efficiency?
A: Pump efficiency typically ranges from 0.5 to 0.9 (50-90%), depending on pump type, size, and operating conditions.

Q2: How does density affect pump power?
A: Higher density fluids require more power to pump at the same flow rate and head due to increased mass.

Q3: What's the difference between hydraulic power and brake power?
A: Hydraulic power is the theoretical power needed to move the fluid, while brake power includes mechanical losses and is the actual power required by the pump.

Q4: Can I use this for viscous fluids?
A: This basic calculation works for Newtonian fluids. For highly viscous fluids, additional corrections may be needed.

Q5: What if my flow rate is in L/s instead of m³/h?
A: Convert L/s to m³/h by multiplying by 3.6 (1 L/s = 3.6 m³/h).