1. What is Fuel Pump Flow?

Fuel pump flow refers to the volume of fuel a pump can deliver per unit of time, typically measured in gallons per hour (gph). It's a critical specification when selecting a fuel pump for an engine.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the fuel pump flow equation:

Where:

• \( HP \) — Engine horsepower
• \( BSFC \) — Brake specific fuel consumption (lbs/hp-hr)
• \( \text{Fuel Density} \) — Weight of fuel per gallon (lbs/gallon)
• \( 60 \) — Conversion factor from hours to minutes

Explanation: The equation calculates the required fuel flow rate based on engine power output and fuel consumption characteristics.

3. Importance of Pump Flow Calculation

Details: Proper fuel pump sizing ensures adequate fuel delivery to the engine under all operating conditions, preventing lean conditions that could damage the engine.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter engine horsepower, typical BSFC value (0.4-0.6 for naturally aspirated engines, higher for forced induction), and fuel density (approximately 6.0 lbs/gallon for gasoline).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a typical BSFC value?
A: Naturally aspirated gasoline engines typically range 0.45-0.50, while turbocharged engines may be 0.55-0.65. Diesel engines are generally more efficient (0.35-0.45).

Q2: How much safety margin should I add?
A: It's common to add 20-30% to the calculated flow to account for pump wear, voltage variations, and future power upgrades.

Q3: What's the fuel density for different fuels?
A: Gasoline ~6.0 lbs/gallon, E85 ~6.5 lbs/gallon, Diesel ~7.0 lbs/gallon. Check specific gravity for exact values.

Q4: Does this account for fuel pressure requirements?
A: No, this calculates flow only. Higher pressure requirements may reduce effective flow capacity of the pump.

Q5: How do I convert gph to lph?
A: Multiply gph by 3.785 to get liters per hour (lph).