How does salt water affect the discharge pressure of a pump?

When a pump is pumping pure water, it has a suction pressure of 50 feet of head and discharge pressure of 250 feet of head. However, when the pump starts pumping salt water, which has a density of 1.2, the discharge pressure will change.

Discharge Pressure Calculation:

Density of water: 1.0

Density of salt water: 1.2

Given that the pump has a discharge pressure of 250 feet of head with pure water, we need to calculate the discharge pressure when pumping salt water.

Since the density of salt water is 1.2 times the density of pure water, the discharge gauge would read:

250 (discharge pressure with pure water) x 1.2 (density ratio) = 300 feet

Therefore, when the pump is pumping salt water with a density of 1.2, the discharge gauge would read 300 feet.

← Trusses vs conventional rafter framing which is better Repairing fuel leaks on integral fuel tanks best practice →