Automotive Water Pump Flow Rates 1

[wehber]

Hi, we are designing a cooling system for some various size motors, 50, 40, and 30 hp motors and was wondering about the flow we should have for our water pump. I have been trying to locate information everywhere but have been limited to almost nothing. I was trying to get a base # of some stock OEM car flow rates but havn't been able to find any. I was thinking somewhere between the 5-10 GPM flow rate would be ideal. We want to use some standard automotive fluids for our system as well. If anyone has some other information/tips/calcs that would be great!

 

[MikeHalloran]

Rough ballpark rule of thumb fuzzy estimate:

Somewhere around 0.2 usgpm/bhp at max revs.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IRstuff]

The drivers for flow rate is the temperature delta allowable and the amount of heat generated. As a point of reference, a 60/40 EG system with 1GPM can transport cool about 300 W with a net delta of about 5ºC to 10ºC.

TTFN

 

[GregLocock]

bucket, watch, calculator

Cheers

Greg Locock

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.

 

[Greenlight]

I've seen small block Chevy pump ratings from 37 to 55 gpm.

 

[patprimmer]

At what pump speed.



Regards

eng-tips, by professional engineers for professional engineers
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[IRstuff]

http://www.enjoythedrive.com/products/product_display.asp?product_id=752&zw=water+pump

up to 55 gpm

TTFN

 

[reidh]

Wehber,

The 65 HP engine we use pumps approx. 5 gallons per minute at full throttle. The exact flow rate depends which radiator we are using, the number of elbows, fittings, length of hose, etc. I should also add this is for a vehicle that is constantly on the move.

The pressure drop vs. flow rate is very important not only for the pump, but for each component of your cooling system.

-Reidh

 

[reidh]

Wehber,

I just found this in a 2001 SAE paper on cooling systems:

Conventional cooling needs on smaller
engines with mechanically driven water pumps vary
between 2.0 to 2.6 L/min/kW. Some advanced engines
already run at 1.0 - 1.7 L/min/kW. It is predicted that with
an electric pump & diverter valve with precision cooling &
nucleate boiling sensing & control, flows under 1.0
L/min/kW would be achievable.


-Reidh