Pump Power Calculation Formula | Specific speed
of a centrifugal pump
In this article discussed about pump basic formulas with examples
like pump power calculation formula, specific speed of centrifugal
pump and affinity laws for centrifugal and displacement pumps . Also
provided online calculator for pump power calculation
Pump Efficiency and Pump Power Calculation
Formulas with Examples
Contents [hide ]
1 Pump Efficiency and Pump Power Calculation Formulas with Examples
o 1.1 Efficiency and Input Power of the Pump
o 1.2 Specific Speed of Pump
1.2.1 Why to select pump with better efficiency
1.2.1.1 Pump efficiency calculation example
o 1.3 Centrifugal pump power calculation online
Efficiency and Input Power of the Pump
The work performed by the pump is equal to the weight of liquid
pumped in Unit time multiplied by total Head in meters. However the
pump capacity in M 3 /hr and liquid specific gravity are used rather than
weight of liquid pumped for work done by the pump.
The input power “P” of a pump is the mechanical power
in kW or Watt taken by the shaft or coupling. So the input power of the
pump also called Break Horse Power (BHP).
Pump input BHP is the power delivered to the pump shaft and is
designated as brake horsepower. so pump input power also called
as pump shaft power.
Pump output power is called as Water Horse Power (WHP )
or Hydraulic power and it is useful work delivered by the pump. and is
usually expressed by the formula
Hydraulic power Ph = Flow rate X Total developed head X Density
X Gravitational constant
Pump Efficiency is the ratio of pump input and output power.
i.e Efficiency of the pump is the ratio water horse power to break horse
power.
Pump input power calculation formula or pump shaft power
calculation formula
Pump Input Power = P
Formula – 1
P in Watt =
Here
Q = Flow rate in m 3 /sec
H = Total developed head in meters
= Density in kg/m 3
g = Gravitational constant = 9.81 m/sec 2
η = Efficiency of the pump ( between 0% to 100%)
Formula – 2
P in kW =
Here
Q = Flow rate in m 3 /hr
H = Total developed head in meters
= Density in kg/dm 3 (1 kg/m 3 = 0.001 kg/dm 3 )
η = Efficiency between 0 and <1 (not in %)
Formula – 3
P in kW =
Here
Q = Flow rate in Lt./sec ( 1 m 3 /sec = 3.6 x Lt./sec)
H = Total developed head in meters
= Density in kg/dm 3 (1 kg/m 3 = 0.001 kg/dm 3 )
η = Efficiency of the pump ( between 0% to 100%)
Formula – 4
P in Hp =
Here
Q = Flow rate in Lt./sec
H = Total developed head in meters
= Density in kg/dm 3
η = Efficiency of the pump ( between 0% to 100%)
Formula – 5 ( USCS units )
P in Hp =
Here
Q = Flow rate in gpm
H = Total developed head in feet
= Density in lb/ft 3
η = Efficiency of the pump ( between 0% to 100%)
For an electric-motor-driven pumping unit, the overall efficiency is
Overall efficiency = pump efficiency x motor efficiency
The overall efficiency then becomes what is commonly called “wire-to-
water” efficiency, which is expressed by the formula
Overall Efficiency =
Specific Speed of Pump
The specific speed “Nq” is a parameter derived from a dimensional
analysis which allows a comparison of impellers of various pump sizes
even when their operating similar Q -H range. The specific speed can
be used to classify the optimum impeller design.
Specific Speed of pump (Nq) is defined as the speed in RPM at which
a geometrically similar impeller would run if it were reduced
proportionately in size so as to delivered 75 kg of water per second to
the height of 1 m.
Nq is also defined as the theoretical rotational speed at which a
geometrically similar impeller would run if it were of such a size as to
produce 1 m of head at a flow rate of 1 m 3 /sec at the best efficiency
point.
The specific speed can be made a truly dimensionless characteristic
parameter while retaining the same numerical value by using following
equation.
Metric System
Nq = =
Where Nq = Dimensionless parameter
N = RPM of pump
n = Rev/sec of Pump
Q = Flow rate in m 3 /sec
H = Head in meters
g = Gravitational constant ( 9.81 m/sec 2 )
British Units
Nq =
Where N = RPM of pump
Q = Flow rate in Gallons per minute (GPM)
H = Head in feet
Note:
1. For multistage pumps the developed head (H) at best efficiency
2. Consider half total discharge in case of double suction impeller.
Approximate reference values for specific speed of centrifugal
pump (Nq):
Radial high head impeller – up to approx. 25
Radial medium head impeller – up to approx. 40
Radial low head impeller – up to approx. 70
Mixed flow impeller – up to approx. 160
Axial flow impeller (propeller) – approx. from 140 to 400
Affinity laws for pumps – Please go through the below link
Affinity laws for centrifugal pumps | Positive displacement pump affinity
laws | Pump affinity laws with example
Why to select pump with better efficiency
Pump Efficiency is the most important factor while calculating power
consumption. So while selection of the higher rating of pump always
choose best efficiency pump set.
The following formula to help which type of efficiency rating pump is
best
N
N = Number units power saving per year in KWH
= Higher and lower overall efficiency of two pump sets.
P = Power input in kW to motor (related to low efficiency pump)
T = Running hours per year
Pump efficiency calculation example
= 75% and 65% respectively
P = Power input = 40 kW
T = 3000 hours per year
N = 18461 Units (KWH)
So for same rating pump efficiency will increase by 10% then power
saving will be 18461 KWH per year.
Centrifugal pump power calculation online
Note : 1000 kg/m 3 = 1 kg/dm 3
Click Here
Related Article:
Pump Vapour pressure calculation | Water Vapour Pressure Table at
Different temperatures
Classification of pumps | Types of pumps and their working principles
Unit Conversion Factors and Tables for Engineering Design
Calculations
NPSH calculation | Pump suction and delivery lines head loss with
online calculator
Thanks for reading this article. I Hope it may fulfill your requirement.
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Categories: Pumps, Sugar Engineering / 8 Responses / by siva alluri
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8 thoughts on “Pump Power Calculation Formula |
Specific speed of a centrifugal pump”
Pranjal saxena
(September 29, 2018 - 5:52 am)
Reply
Dear sir, please specify the Units in formula (Hydraulic power Ph = Flow
rate X Total developed head X Density X Gravitational constant) and
also Describe how to convert in kW.
siva alluri
(September 29, 2018 - 3:51 pm)
Reply
Formulas also covered in this article
Calculate Size of Pump having following Details
Static Suction Head(h2)=0 Meter
Static Discharge Head (h1)=50 Meter.
Required Amount of Water (Q1)=300 Liter/Min.
Density of Liquid (D) =1000 Kg/M3
Pump Efficiency (pe)=80%
Motor Efficiency(me)= 90%
Friction Losses in Pipes (f)=30%
Calculations:
Flow Rate (Q) =Q1x1.66/100000 =300×1.66/100000= 0.005 M3/Sec
Actual Total Head (After Friction Losses) (H) = (h1+h2)+((h1+h2)xf)
Actual Total Head (After Friction Losses) (H)=50+(50×30%)= 65 Meter.
Pump Hydraulic Power (ph) = (D x Q x H x9.87)/1000
Pump Hydraulic Power (ph) = (1000 x 0.005 x 65 x9.87)/1000 =3KW
Motor/ Pump Shaft Power (ps)= ph / pe = 3 / 80% = 4KW
Required Motor Size: ps / me =4 / 90% = 4.5 KW
Required Size of Motor Pump = 4.5 HP or 6 HP
