Pumps operate mainly through converting electrical power into motion. The performance of a pump can be measured using 3 main analytical models; flow rate (Q), head (h), and efficiency (n). These 3 models allow users to gain an overall sense of how the pump is performing during operation.

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What is "Flow rate, Q"

• For volumetric flow rate: Q=vA
  Where v=fluid velocity
  And A= cross-sectional area of the apparatus holding the fluid
• For Mass flow rate: m= pQ= pvA
  Where p= fluid density
  And m= mass

The mass and fluid velocity are related according to the following formula: v=m/pA Head, H

The pump head is a measure of how high fluid can be pushed by the pump. This model allows users to establish how powerful their pump is. If the effect of friction on the inlet and outlet tubes of a pump can be ignored, then the head of the pump would be equal to h, the height of the free end of a hose above the surface of the supply reservoir.

There is a noticeable relationship between head and flow rate for every pump: An increase in head causes a decrease in flow rate.

The head can get to a maximum value at which the flow rate will be zero. When the head= zero, the flow rate is maximum

Efficiency, n

The pump efficiency is the point at which the flow rate, Q, and the head, h, operate at maximum efficiency.

Maximum efficiency is achieved upon perfect balance between Q and h, particularly at the point between where Q=0 and h=0.

Efficiency is measured by n= output/input; where output is the power delivered by the fluid, and input is the power consumed by the motor.

Efficiency for electric pumps can also be measured by:

Input=VI

• Where V=voltage supplied to the motor

• I=current supplied to the motor

By analyzing these 3 analytical models, you can determine how well your pump is performing within its application.