1. What is Pump Power?

Pump power is the energy required to move a fluid through a system against resistance. It depends on the fluid properties, flow rate, head (height the fluid needs to be lifted), 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)
• \( Q \) — Volumetric flow rate (m³/s)
• \( H \) — Head (meters)
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (0-1)

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

3. Importance of Pump Power Calculation

Details: Accurate pump power calculation is essential for selecting properly sized pumps, ensuring energy efficiency, and preventing motor overload.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips:

• For water at standard conditions, density is 1000 kg/m³
• Typical pump efficiencies range from 0.7 to 0.9
• Convert flow rates from L/s to m³/s by dividing by 1000
• Head includes both static lift and friction losses

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between hydraulic power and pump power?
A: Hydraulic power is the theoretical power needed to move the fluid, while pump power includes inefficiencies (η) and is what the motor must deliver.

Q2: How do I account for pipe friction losses?
A: Friction losses should be added to the static head to get total head (H) in the equation.

Q3: What's a typical pump efficiency?
A: Centrifugal pumps typically range from 60-85% efficiency, while positive displacement pumps can reach 90%.

Q4: How does viscosity affect pump power?
A: Higher viscosity fluids require more power and may reduce pump efficiency - specialized calculations are needed for viscous fluids.

Q5: Should I add a safety factor?
A: Yes, it's common to add 10-20% to the calculated power to account for system variations and future needs.