Condenser Pump Head Calculator

The Condenser Pump Head Calculator is a tool used to determine the total head required for a condenser pump to transport cooling water through a system. In HVAC systems, power plants, and industrial processes, condenser pumps play a vital role in moving water between condensers and cooling towers or heat exchangers.

By calculating the pump head, operators can ensure that the pump is properly sized to overcome static height differences, frictional losses, and velocity requirements. This ensures optimal system performance and energy efficiency while avoiding operational issues like cavitation or inadequate flow.

Formula of Condenser Pump Head Calculator

The formula to calculate the total pump head is:

Total Pump Head (H) = H_static + H_friction + H_velocity

Where:

• H_static: Static head (meters or feet), accounting for the elevation difference.
• H_friction: Friction head loss due to pipe resistance, fittings, and valves (meters or feet).
• H_velocity: Velocity head, representing the kinetic energy of the fluid (meters or feet).

Steps to Calculate

1. Determine the Static Head (H_static):

• Measure the vertical height difference between the suction and discharge points.
• Use the formula:
  H_static = Elevation_difference

2. Calculate Friction Head Loss (H_friction):

• Use the Darcy-Weisbach equation or empirical charts for pressure loss in pipes:
  H_friction = (f × L × v²) / (2 × g × D)
  Where:
  • f: Friction factor (dimensionless, based on pipe material and flow conditions)
  • L: Length of the pipe (meters or feet)
  • v: Velocity of the fluid (m/s or ft/s)
  • g: Gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² or 32.2 ft/s²)
  • D: Diameter of the pipe (meters or feet)

3. Calculate Velocity Head (H_velocity):

• Use the Bernoulli equation component for velocity head:
  H_velocity = v² / (2 × g)

4. Sum All Components:

• Add the static head, friction head, and velocity head to calculate the total pump head:
  H = H_static + H_friction + H_velocity

Reference Table for Typical Head Loss Values

Pipe Material	Pipe Diameter (m)	Flow Rate (m³/s)	Friction Loss (m per 100m)
Steel	0.1	0.01	2.5
PVC	0.1	0.01	1.2
Copper	0.1	0.01	1.8

This table provides approximate friction losses for common pipe materials and flow rates.

Example of Condenser Pump Head Calculator

Problem:

A condenser pump needs to transport water through a 200-meter steel pipe with a diameter of 0.1 meters. The elevation difference is 10 meters, and the fluid velocity is 2 m/s. The friction factor for steel is 0.02. Calculate the total pump head.

Solution:

Step 1: Calculate Static Head (H_static):

H_static = Elevation_difference = 10 m

Step 2: Calculate Friction Head Loss (H_friction):

H_friction = (0.02 × 200 × 2²) / (2 × 9.81 × 0.1)
H_friction = (0.02 × 200 × 4) / (1.962) = 8.16 m

Step 3: Calculate Velocity Head (H_velocity):

H_velocity = v² / (2 × g)
H_velocity = 2² / (2 × 9.81) = 0.204 m

Step 4: Sum All Components:

H = H_static + H_friction + H_velocity
H = 10 + 8.16 + 0.204 = 18.364 m

The total pump head required is approximately 18.36 meters.

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