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Pressure Drop Equation:
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Pressure drop across a pump (actually pressure rise) refers to the difference between the outlet pressure and inlet pressure of a pump. It represents the amount of pressure increase that the pump provides to the fluid being pumped.
The calculator uses the pressure drop equation:
Where:
Explanation: This simple equation calculates the pressure difference that the pump generates, which is a key performance parameter for pump selection and system design.
Details: Calculating pressure drop across a pump is essential for proper pump selection, system design, energy efficiency analysis, and ensuring that the pump can overcome system resistance to deliver the required flow.
Tips: Enter both outlet pressure and inlet pressure in Pascals (Pa). Ensure both values are positive numbers. The calculator will compute the pressure difference.
Q1: Why is it called "pressure drop" when it's actually pressure rise?
A: The term "pressure drop" is used from the perspective of the fluid flowing through the pump, where it experiences a pressure increase, but in system analysis, we often refer to the pressure difference across components.
Q2: What units should I use for pressure measurements?
A: While Pascals (Pa) are the SI unit, you can convert from other units like bar, psi, or mmHg before entering values, or modify the calculator to accept multiple units.
Q3: Can the pressure drop be negative?
A: Yes, if the outlet pressure is lower than the inlet pressure, the result will be negative, indicating the pump is not functioning properly or there's an issue with the system.
Q4: How does this relate to pump head?
A: Pressure drop is directly related to pump head through the fluid density: Head = ΔP / (ρ × g), where ρ is density and g is gravity.
Q5: When should I measure pump pressures?
A: Pressures should be measured at standardized locations near the pump inlet and outlet flanges under stable operating conditions for accurate results.