1. What is a Water Pump Flow Rate Calculator?

Definition: This calculator estimates the volumetric flow rate of water through a pump based on pump power, water density, gravitational acceleration, head height, and pump efficiency.

Purpose: It helps engineers, plumbers, and irrigation specialists determine the expected water flow rate for pump selection and system design.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Q \) — Flow rate (cubic meters per second)
• \( P \) — Pump power (Watts)
• \( \rho \) — Water density (kg/m³, typically 1000)
• \( g \) — Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s²)
• \( h \) — Head height (meters)
• \( \eta \) — Pump efficiency (dimensionless, 0-1)

Explanation: The formula calculates how much water volume can be moved per second given the pump's power and the system's physical characteristics.

3. Importance of Flow Rate Calculation

Details: Proper flow rate estimation ensures adequate water supply, proper pump selection, and energy-efficient system design.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter pump power in watts, water density (default 1000 kg/m³), gravity (default 9.81 m/s²), head height in meters, and pump efficiency (default 0.8). All values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is pump efficiency?
A: Pump efficiency (η) represents what percentage of input power is converted to useful work, typically 0.7-0.9 for good pumps.

Q2: How do I convert m³/s to more common units?
A: Multiply by 1000 for liters/second or by 3600 for m³/hour.

Q3: What is head height?
A: The vertical distance the pump must move water, including friction losses in pipes.

Q4: Why is water density important?
A: Density affects the energy needed to move the fluid. The default 1000 kg/m³ is for pure water at 4°C.

Q5: How accurate is this calculation?
A: It provides theoretical maximum flow. Real-world factors like pipe friction and temperature may reduce actual flow.