Calculating Electrical Power Requirement for Pump

What is the electrical power, in horsepower (hp), required by a pump to move water through steel pipes?

Given data:

  • Efficiency of pump: 75%
  • Efficiency of electrical motor: 85%
  • Flow rate: 1000 GPM
  • Length of steel pipe: 1000 ft
  • Diameter of steel pipe: 8 inches

Answer:

The electrical power required by the pump to move water through steel pipes can be calculated based on the given data. Let's break it down step by step.

First, we need to calculate the total power required by the pump using the equation for hydraulic power:

Power (in watts) = Flow rate x Head x Gravity

Since we are dealing with water, we can use the known density of water and gravity conversion numbers.

After calculating the total power needed by the pump, considering the pump's efficiency of 75%, we get the mechanical power required. However, since this power is delivered by an electric motor with an efficiency of 85%, we need to account for the motor's efficiency as well.

To find the gross electrical power in watts, we divide the mechanical power by 0.85 (efficiency of the electrical motor). Finally, we convert this result to horsepower (hp) using the conversion factor 1 hp = 746 watts.

By following these calculations, we can determine the electrical power required by the pump to efficiently move water through the specified steel pipes. Optimize your pump's performance and save energy!

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