1. What is Pump Head?

Pump head is the height to which a pump can raise a fluid, expressed in meters. It represents the energy imparted to the fluid by the pump, accounting for pressure, elevation, and friction losses in the system.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump head equation:

Where:

• \( H \) — Pump head (m)
• \( P \) — Pressure (Pa)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)

Explanation: The equation converts pressure energy to equivalent height (head) by accounting for the fluid's density and gravitational acceleration.

3. Importance of Pump Head Calculation

Details: Pump head is crucial for selecting appropriate pumps, designing piping systems, and ensuring proper fluid flow in industrial, HVAC, and water supply applications.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pressure in Pascals (Pa), density in kg/m³ (1000 for water), and gravity in m/s² (9.81 on Earth). All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between head and pressure?
A: Head is independent of fluid density, while pressure varies with density. Head is more useful when comparing pump performance for different fluids.

Q2: Why use 1000 kg/m³ for water?
A: This is the standard density of water at 4°C. For warmer water, use slightly lower values (e.g., 998 kg/m³ at 20°C).

Q3: Can I use this for other planets?
A: Yes, just adjust the gravity value (e.g., 3.71 m/s² for Mars, 1.62 m/s² for the Moon).

Q4: How does viscosity affect head calculations?
A: This simple formula doesn't account for viscosity. For viscous fluids, additional corrections may be needed.

Q5: What's a typical head range for centrifugal pumps?
A: Common ranges are 10-100m for standard pumps, with specialized pumps reaching 2000m or more.