Calculation of Pumping Head -

Purpose
• Energy Efficient Design
• Help to identify “high head loss” components in an
existing pumping system
• Analyze cost benefit of various ECMs
• Measured Head Vs Calculated Head comparison –
Helps identify anomalies like clogs, corrosion
• Helps in Pump efficiency calculation where
measurement is difficult
• Helps to do Pumping Energy Balance, Cost Allocation

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Types of Pumping Head

• Static Head – (Difference in elevation between

source and end point Z = Z1 – Z2)
• Pressure Head – (Difference in pressure
between source and end point  Hp = P1-P2)
• Friction Head – (Created by resistance in
pipes, valves and fittings)
• Velocity Head – (Function of the Velocity of
flow - Velocity Head Hv = V2 / 2g)
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Friction Head – Calculation

• Frictional Head is a factor of flow, velocity, material

and length of pipe, type of valves and fittings
• Frictional Head Hf = λ * V2 * Le / (2g * D)
• λ = Frictional Factor
• V = Flow velocity
• Le = Equivalent length of pipe
• D = Pipe Diameter (ID)

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Friction Head – Calculation

• Frictional Factor λ = 1 / { 2 log (3.71 D/κ)}2

– D = Pipe Diameter
– k = Roughness co-efficient (Varies with pipe material)

• Velocity V = Q / (πD2/4)
• Equivalent Length Le = Actual Pipe length (L) +
Equivalent length of pipe fittings (Calculated or
Determined from friction tables)

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Friction Head - Calculation
• Equivalent length of a fitting = WD/ λ
– W = Frictional factor of the fitting (from friction tables)

Sample

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Steps in using the tool

• Understanding the Pumping system and load

requirements
• Customize and Calibrate the Tool to the
system
• Explore the various ECMs
• Identify and report the feasible ECMs

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Step 1. Understanding the
pumping system and load
• Load parameters
– Required flow per day,
– Min/Max flow
– Required velocity
• Pump parameters
– Type of pump
– Efficiency
• Piping elements
– Pipe dimensions and layout
– Number and type of fittings
• Control elements
– Type of control, valves used
• Others
– Availability of space

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Step 2. Customize and
Calibrate the Head Calculation
Tool
• Input required data in the tool
– Pipe diameter (ID), Operating flow, sum of friction factors,
roughness co-efficient, potential head, pressure head, pump
efficiency etc

• Calibrate the Tool

– Compare the calculated Head with Measured Head
– Identify reasons for difference and accordingly modify input data
until calculated and measured head are closely matching
– The above process will reveal any unwanted “Heads” in the system
like clogs, scales and failed valves & elements

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Step 3. Explore opportunities
to reduce system Head –
Friction Head
• Pipe Losses – Explore increased pipe diameter
– Increase diameter step by step and note the reduction in friction
head until there is no further significant change or until reasonable
payback period
– Select the nearest standard pipe diameter for recommendation
– Adjust pump and motor operating efficiency to new Head to get
accurate value of power saving
– Ensure that velocity drop and space are not a constraint

• Pipe Losses – Explore to reduce pipe roughness (Pipe

coatings)
– Input roughness co-efficient of pipe coating and note the friction
head and pay-back period

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Explore opportunities to reduce
system Head – Friction Head
• Pipe Element Losses – Explore Alternative Elements
– Identify and eliminate redundant/failed elements
– Identify “high loss” elements and explore if they can be replaced
with low loss elements
– Explore in detail if power savings are significant
• Pipe Layout – Simplify layout to reduce losses
– Identify and input simplest layout to the tool and note the friction
head and power savings
– Explore in detail if power savings are significant
• Pipe Element Losses – Explore booster pumps for low
flow “high head” loads
– Analyze and estimate the change in Head and power savings if
booster pumps are installed

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Explore opportunities to reduce
system Head – Static Head
• Feasibility of Pressurized distribution systems
– Customize the tool to explore the feasibility of
Pressurized Vs Normal (Overhead tank) distribution
system

• Reducing Elevation
– The tool can help to exactly estimate the benefits of
reducing elevation and changing layout

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 Thank You

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