AMARINE

Pump Head vs Discharge Pressure (Easy

explanation and examples)

One of the most important factor when inspect a pump is to find out the real Static Head or How
much height that the pump can lift the fluid . ( See the CENTRIFUGAL PUMP (Advanced)
(https://amarineblog.wordpress.com/2017/07/19/centrifugal-pump-advanced/) to see how to calculate the
pump Characteristics and Select a Pump)

Other article:
During commissioning, an initial assessment the pump Head by reading the Discharging pressure
gauge (P2 as above image, ex: 1 bar ~ 10 m height), and it’s not correct concept because of the Pump
Head is not quite the same thing as a Discharge Pressure.

So what is the difference between pressure and head

then?

While some pump manufacturers that use pressure (differential pressure which is measure the deviation
between Suction and Discharge flange ~ HEAD) to characterize their pumps, this is not the most
“accurate” way to do so (Because of friction and loss along the pipe line).

Head is useful because it evaluates a pump’s capacity to do a job. If you have to pump a liquid up
to 10m and your pump doesn’t have at least 10m of head, then there is no chance it will work. Your
pump will need at least 10m plus the friction loss to get the required flow at the discharge point.

Another interesting thing about head is it is independent of the type of fluid being pumped
(assuming the viscosity is relatively low and similar to water). Whether you’re pumping water or a
heavy caustic solution, the head achieved will be the same. The pressure at the discharge of the
pump, however, will be higher for the heavier solution.
That’s why we would not be able to do simply looking at a pressure gauge and figure out what is
pump’s discharge head ability is.

Hopefully this post reveal some light on the difference between head and pressure.

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5 thoughts on “Pump Head vs Discharge Pressure (Easy

explanation and examples)”
1. Pingback: CENTRIFUGAL PUMP (Advanced) – AMARINE
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Mansour Hiadera says:
APRIL 27, 2021 AT 1:44 PM
4. The total dyanamic head (TDH)=hs+hd+hl
where,
hl=total friction and minor losses in the suction and dicharge pipes

REPLY
Paul Stromberg says:
AUGUST 2, 2022 AT 10:54 PM
5. Is there any friction sucking high gravity oil using a 3 × 4 × 7″ Centrifical pump 30′ from the oil
thanks?

REPLY
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