What this tool does
Turn a measured or credible minimum inlet pressure into a preliminary booster duty point without hiding the contributions from elevation and losses.
When to use it
Use it when downstream pressure is insufficient under the required flow. Test minimum and maximum inlet conditions separately.
Inputs and supported units
Each labelled field explains the quantity it expects. Unit-system changes convert existing numeric entries once and keep calculations on a single SI internal basis. Supported shared units include L/min and GPM, metres and feet, kPa and psi, millimetres and inches, kW and hp, and °C and °F as relevant.
Calculation or decision method
A user-entered allowance is applied only to a positive boost requirement. Negative results are reported as no additional boost for the entered condition.
How to interpret the result
Read the primary result with the supporting breakdown and warning. A plausible number is not evidence that every input, operating case or design constraint has been included.
Worked example
With 220 kPa inlet, a 300 kPa outlet target, 12 m elevation, 5 m combined losses and 120 L/min duty flow, the required boost is about 247 kPa before any allowance.
Assumptions
Gauge pressures are comparable; losses apply at duty flow; inlet pressure is available while that flow is being drawn.
Limitations
No control strategy, tank sizing, parallel-pump staging, transient or minimum-flow analysis is included.
Sources
- Hydraulic Institute — Combined Pump & System Curves
- U.S. Department of Energy — Pump Systems
- Hydraulic Institute — Pump FAQs