1. What is a Pump Head Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the total dynamic head of a pump system, which is the total equivalent height that a fluid needs to be pumped.

Purpose: It helps engineers and technicians properly size pumps for various applications by accounting for both pressure and elevation components.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( H \) — Total dynamic head (meters, m)
• \( P \) — Pressure (Pascals, Pa)
• \( \rho \) — Fluid density (kg/m³)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( z \) — Elevation (meters, m)

Explanation: The pressure is converted to equivalent head (height of fluid) and added to the elevation difference.

3. Importance of Pump Head Calculation

Details: Accurate head calculation ensures proper pump selection, prevents cavitation, and optimizes energy consumption in fluid systems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the system pressure in Pascals, fluid density (default 1000 kg/m³ for water), and elevation difference. Fluid density must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is total dynamic head?
A: It's the total equivalent height the pump must overcome, including both pressure and elevation components.

Q2: What's a typical fluid density for water?
A: Pure water at 4°C has a density of 1000 kg/m³, but this varies with temperature and impurities.

Q3: How do I convert pressure to Pascals?
A: 1 bar = 100,000 Pa, 1 psi ≈ 6894.76 Pa, 1 atm ≈ 101325 Pa.

Q4: What if my elevation is negative?
A: Negative values are acceptable if the discharge is below the pump intake.

Q5: Does this include friction losses?
A: No, this calculates static head only. For complete system head, add friction losses to the result.