1. What is Pump Head?

Pump head represents the height that a pump can raise a liquid column, measured in feet. It's a crucial parameter in pump selection and system design, indicating the pump's ability to overcome system resistance and elevation differences.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the pump head formula:

Where:

• \( Head \) — Pump head in feet
• \( Discharge\ Pressure \) — Pressure at pump discharge in psi
• \( Suction\ Pressure \) — Pressure at pump suction in psi
• \( SG \) — Specific gravity of the fluid (unitless)

Explanation: The formula converts pressure difference to equivalent head in feet, accounting for the fluid's density through specific gravity.

3. Importance of Pump Head Calculation

Details: Accurate pump head calculation is essential for proper pump selection, ensuring the pump can overcome system losses, elevation changes, and maintain required flow rates in piping systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter discharge pressure and suction pressure in psi, and specific gravity of the fluid. Ensure all values are positive and specific gravity is greater than zero for accurate results.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is specific gravity and how do I find it?
A: Specific gravity is the ratio of fluid density to water density. For water, SG=1.0. For other fluids, consult material safety data sheets or engineering references.

Q2: Why is pump head measured in feet?
A: Feet represent the height of fluid column the pump can generate, making it independent of fluid density and providing a universal measure of pump capability.

Q3: What's the difference between static head and total head?
A: Static head is elevation difference only, while total head includes friction losses and velocity head in addition to static head.

Q4: Can this calculator be used for all pump types?
A: This formula works for centrifugal pumps and other dynamic pumps. Positive displacement pumps require different calculations.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: The calculation provides theoretical head. Actual pump performance may vary due to efficiency losses, viscosity effects, and system characteristics.