Definition of Terms

Capacity – refers to the amount of material, usually liquid, that a pump moves in a given length of time.
The standard pump rating in general use is gallons per minute, abbreviated gpm.

Pressure – force acting on a unit area. Pump pressures therefore are usually stated in pounds per square

inch, abbreviated psi.

Head – height of fluid.

Suction head – is the pressure at the suction, changed to head.

Suction lift – is the distance the liquid must be lifted to the pump.

Discharge head – is the pressure at the discharge, changed to head.

Static head – is the elevation of the water flowing in a pipe with respect to a certain reference point.

Pressure head– is equal to the sum of the static head of water flowing in a pipe and the gage pressure,

expressed in head, of the same water flowing in a pipe.

Velocity head – is the kinetic energy per unit weight of flowing water.

Dynamic head – is the sum of pressure head and velocity head of water flowing in a pipe.

Total head – is the distance which the pump lifts the liquid.

Friction head – is friction loss in the pipe expressed in head.

Total Suction Head – is the sum of all the heads at suction of the pump. It is equal to the dynamic head
at the suction of the pump minus friction head on the suction pipes.

Total Discharge Head – is the sum of all heads at discharge point of the pump. It is equal to the sum of

dynamic head at the discharge point of the pump and friction head on the discharge pipes.

Total Dynamic Head – is the difference between total discharge head and total suction head.

Water Horsepower or Hydraulic Horsepower – is the power developed by the pump. It is the power

required to deliver a given quantity of fluid against a given developed head with no losses in the pump.
It isthe output of the pump.

Brake Horsepower – is the power required to drive the pump or power input to the pump.

Mechanical Efficiency of the Pump – is the ratio of the output power of the pump to the power supplied
to
the pump.

TOTAL HEAD LOSS

Definition of Terms

Piping– is broadly applied to pipe, fittings, valves, and other components that convey liquids, gases,
slurries,etc.

Pipe – is applied to tubular products of dimensions and materials commonly used for pipelines and

connections.

Tube or Tubing – is generally applied to tubular products asutilized in boilers, heat exchangers,

instrumentation, and in the machine,aircraft, automotive, and related industries.

Pipe Fitting – is the work of installing and maintaining pipe systems.

Pipe Valves – may be described as devices that control the flow of liquids, gases, etc., through pipes by

opening and closing the passage.

Nominal Pipe Size (NPS) Standard – one of the common standards in specifying a size of pipe that is

available commercially.

Combined Head Loss, hL

• The overall head loss for the pipe system consists of the head loss due to viscous effects in the straight

pipes, termed the major loss and denoted hL major , and the head loss in the various pipe components,

termed the minor loss and denoted hL minor.

Major Loss or Pipe Loss, hLmajor

Major loss refers to head loss due to viscous effects in the straight pipes.