1. What is Pump Power Calculation?

The pump power calculation determines the energy required to move a fluid through a system. It accounts for flow rate, head, fluid density, and pump efficiency to estimate the power consumption.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power formula:

Where:

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

Explanation: The formula calculates the theoretical power required to move the fluid, then divides by pump efficiency to get actual power requirement.

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate power calculation is essential for selecting properly sized pumps, estimating energy costs, and designing efficient fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter flow rate in m³/h, head in meters, density in kg/m³ (water = 1000 kg/m³), and pump efficiency as decimal (0.8 = 80%). All values must be positive.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is typical pump efficiency?
A: Centrifugal pumps typically range from 40-85% efficiency, with higher efficiency in larger, well-designed pumps.

Q2: How does viscosity affect power requirements?
A: Higher viscosity fluids require more power due to increased friction losses. The calculator assumes Newtonian fluids.

Q3: What is head in pump calculations?
A: Head represents the height a pump can lift fluid, accounting for both static lift and friction losses in the system.

Q4: Can I use this for other fluids besides water?
A: Yes, simply input the correct density for your fluid (e.g., oil ~800-900 kg/m³, seawater ~1025 kg/m³).

Q5: Why is the result in kW?
A: The 3.6×10⁶ factor converts from J/s to kW while accounting for the flow rate being in m³/h rather than m³/s.