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Pump Head to Pressure Calculator

1. What is the Head to Pressure Converter Calculator?

Definition: This calculator converts the head of a pump (in meters, centimeters, inches, feet, or yards) to pressure (in psi, bar, kg/cm², psf, or kPa) based on the specific gravity of the fluid (\( SG \)).

Purpose: It is used in mechanical engineering to translate pump characteristic curves from head to pressure units, aiding in system design, performance analysis, and pressure regulation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the relationship:

\[ p = 0.433 h \cdot SG \quad (\text{head in feet to pressure in psi}) \]

Where:

  • \( p \) — Pressure (in psi, bar, kg/cm², psf, or kPa)
  • \( h \) — Head (converted to feet)
  • \( SG \) — Specific gravity of the fluid (dimensionless)

Explanation: Enter the head value in the chosen unit (meters, centimeters, inches, feet, or yards) and select the specific gravity of the fluid (or input a custom value). The head is converted to feet, and the pressure is calculated using \( p = 0.433 h \cdot SG \), then converted to psi, bar, kg/cm², psf, and kPa. Results are displayed with 5 decimal places, using scientific notation if the value exceeds 100,000 or is less than 0.0001. For default inputs (\( h = 100 \, \text{ft} \), \( SG = 1.000 \) for water), the calculated pressure is approximately 43.30000 psi, 2.98607 bar, 3.04217 kg/cm², 6235.20000 psf, and 298.63760 kPa.

3. Importance of Head to Pressure Conversion

Details: Converting head to pressure is essential for interpreting pump performance curves, ensuring compatibility with system pressure requirements, and facilitating accurate design and operation of pumping systems.

FAQ

How do I convert head to pressure?

Enter the head value in meters, centimeters, inches, feet, or yards and select the specific gravity (\( SG \)) of the fluid (or input a custom value). The head is converted to feet, and the pressure is calculated using \( p = 0.433 h \cdot SG \), then displayed in psi, bar, kg/cm², psf, and kPa.

What does the head to pressure conversion represent?

The head to pressure conversion translates the height a pump can lift a fluid (head) into an equivalent pressure, accounting for the fluid's specific gravity, which is crucial for system design and analysis.

What is the formula for head to pressure conversion?

The formula is \( p = 0.433 h \cdot SG \), where \( h \) is the head in feet, and \( SG \) is the specific gravity. The result is initially in psi, then converted to bar, kg/cm², psf, and kPa.

Can I use different units for head or select different specific gravities?

Yes, the calculator supports head in meters (m), centimeters (cm), inches (inch), feet (ft), or yards (yard), and allows selection of specific gravity for various liquids or a custom input. All head inputs are converted to feet for calculation.

What happens if I enter zero for the head or specific gravity?

Entering zero for the head (\( h \)) or specific gravity (\( SG \)) will result in a pressure of zero, as the formula is directly proportional to these values. Both should be positive for meaningful results.

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