Pump hydraulic power

A compact explanation of hydraulic power, flow conversion and efficiency for preliminary water-pump sizing.

ENGINEERING PRINCIPLE

Hydraulic power is the rate at which a pump increases fluid potential energy; shaft input rises as efficiency falls.

Pinput = ρgQH/η

Variables and units

  • ρ in kg/m³
  • g in m/s²
  • Q in m³/s
  • H in m
  • η as a decimal

Worked example

For water at Q = 0.015 m³/s, H = 30 m and η = 0.70, input power is approximately 6.31 kW.

Conditions and reference

Formula and displayed units independently checked for the stated conditions. This is not a code-compliance design method.

Source: Hydraulic-power relation derived from conservation of energy; use manufacturer curves for selection.

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