1. What is Pump Power?

Pump power is the energy required to move fluid through a system, accounting for fluid properties, flow rate, head (pressure), and pump efficiency. It's crucial for selecting appropriately sized pumps and motors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump power formula:

Where:

• \( P \) — Pump power (kW)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
• \( H \) — Total dynamic head (m)
• \( \eta \) — 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 ensures proper pump selection, prevents motor overload, optimizes energy consumption, and helps in system design and cost estimation.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For water at standard conditions, density is 1000 kg/m³
• Efficiency typically ranges 0.7-0.9 for centrifugal pumps
• Convert flow units to m³/s (1 m³/s = 1000 L/s = 60000 L/min)
• Head includes both static and friction losses

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between kW and horsepower?
A: 1 kW ≈ 1.341 hp. This calculator provides results in kilowatts (kW), the SI unit for power.

Q2: How does viscosity affect pump power?
A: Higher viscosity fluids require more power and reduce pump efficiency. Special corrections are needed for viscous fluids.

Q3: What if my flow rate is in different units?
A: Convert to m³/s before calculation. Common conversions: 1 L/s = 0.001 m³/s, 1 m³/h ≈ 0.000278 m³/s.

Q4: Why is efficiency important?
A: Efficiency accounts for energy losses in the pump. Actual power requirement is always higher than theoretical.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides a good estimate for water-like fluids. For precise requirements, consult pump performance curves.