Hydraulics

THE BASICS OF PUMP/FILTER SIZING

Hydraulics is the study and understanding of the behavior In-Ground Size Gallons*
of liquids at rest and in motion. We are concerned with 12 ft x 24 ft Rectangle 11,861

Pumps
water, and the following characteristics of our application: 16 ft x 32 ft Rectangle 21,086
18 ft x 36 ft Rectangle 26,687
1. How much water do we have (Pool Capacity)? 20 ft x 40 ft Rectangle 32,947
2. How fast can we safely move the water (Turnover Rate and Water Velocity)? *Average Depth: 5.5 ft

3. How much resistance will this water meet while moving through the system
2. Flow Rate
(Friction Loss)?
While the actual flow rate of a pump is based on the total resistance of the system
4. How will we overcome this resistance (Pump/Filter Sizing)? as described below, the desired flow rate must be calculated to verify it will satisfy
Turnover Rate and Water Velocity requirements.
Following are step-by-step instructions to answer these
four questions and ultimately determine the proper size 2A. Turnover Rate
The turnover rate for a swimming pool is the amount of time required to circulate
pump or filter for virtually any installation. Below each the entire volume of water through the system once to meet reasonably clean,
step is a calculation based on the following example: 16 ft safe water standards. The minimum recommended turnover rate is twelve (12)
by 32 ft rectangular pool, 3 ft to 8 ft deep, 2" suction side and hours, however an eight (8) to ten (10) hour rate is quite common. Check with local
return side plumbing. Existing 1 HP pump; filter gauge reads regulations for the minimum required turnover rate.
10 PSI (clean). Based on the pools capacity and the desired turnover rate, the minimum rate at
1. Pool Capacity which the water must be circulated in Gallons Per Minute (GPM) is calculated
To determine total gallons, we must first calculate the surface area of the pool in as follows:
square feet: A. Minimum Flow in Gallons per Hour (GPH)
A. Surface Area ____________ gallons ____________ hours = ____________ GPH
(pool capacity) (desired turnover rate) (minimum flow,gallons per hour)

Minimum Flow: 21,120 gallons 10 hours = 2,112 gallons per hour

B. Minimum Flow in Gallons per Hour (GPM)
____________ gallons per hour 60 minutes per hour = ____________ GPM
(minimum flow (minimum flow,
gallons per hour) gallons per minute)

Minimum Flow: 2,112 gallons per hour 60 minutes per hour =

35 gallons per minute
____________ ft 2
(surface area) 2B. Water Velocity
Surface Area: 16 ft x 32 ft = 512 ft 2 The maximum recommended water velocity is six (6) or eight (8) feet per
second for suction lines and ten (10) feet per second for return lines. Check
Next, multiply the surface area by the average depth to determine the with local regulations for the maximum water velocity for suction and return
appropriate volume of the pool. lines. The table below lists the maximum flow in GPM based on plumbing size
B. Average Depth and water velocity.
(____________ ft + ____________ ft ) 2 = ____________ ft Pipe Size Maximum Flow
(depth, shallow end) (depth, deep end) (average depth)
(in) 6.0 ft/sec 8.0 ft/sec 10.0 ft/sec
Average Depth = (3 ft. + 8 ft) 2 = 5.5 ft 1 12" 38 GPM 51 GPM 63 GPM
C. Volume 2" 63 GPM 84 GPM 105 GPM
____________ ft 2 x ____________ ft = ____________ ft 3 2 12" 90 GPM 119 GPM 149 GPM
(surface area) (average depth) (volume) 3" 138 GPM 184 GPM 230 GPM
Volume = 512 ft 2 x 5.5 ft = 2,816 ft 3
Maximum Flow: 2" suction side plumbing at
Next, multiply the pools volume in ft3 by 7.5 to get the pool capacity in gallons: 6.0 ft/sec = 63 gallons per minute
D. Pool Capacity 2C. Desired Flow
____________ ft 3 x 7.5 gallons/ft 3 = ____________ gallons The desired flow rate must be between the minimum flow based on the
(volume) (pool capacity) Turnover Rate and the maximum flow based on the Water Velocity. Note that
Pool Capacity = 2,816 ft 3. x 7.5 gallons/ft 3 = 21,120 gallons if higher flow rates are needed, such as for water features, the maximum
possible flow would have to be increased by using larger size plumbing
Some of the more common pool sizes are: (e.g. increase from 2" to 2 " plumbing).
Above-Ground Size Gallons* It is recommended to select a flow that is higher than the minimum to
15 ft Round 5,293 account for decrease in flow that naturally occurs as the filter is loaded
18 ft Round 7,622 with dirt and debris.
21 ft Round 10,374 Minimum Flow (Turnover Rate): 35 GPM
24 ft Round 13,550 Maximum Flow (Water Velocity): 63 GPM
12 ft x 24 ft Rectangle 8,626
27 ft Round 17,149 Desired Flow: 50 GPM
*Average Depth: 4 ft

HAYWARD 17
 Hydraulics
THE BASICS OF PUMP/FILTER SIZING

3. Friction Loss Desired Flow: 50 GPM

Everything that the water must pass through within the circulation system Total Dynamic Head: 32 ft of water (assume to be the same as
plumbing and equipment creates resistance, or Friction Loss. The friction loss determined above)
Pumps

for standard plumbing supplies such as pipe, elbows, fittings, etc. can be found
using published reference tables. Friction loss for equipment such as filters,
heaters, and chlorination systems can be found in charts and/or curves provided
by the manufacturer. The sum of all the resistance is called Total Dynamic Head
(TDH) and is typically measured in Feet of Water or Feet of Head.
A properly sized pump will have the ability to overcome the Total Dynamic Head
of the system while, at the same time, providing flow that will satisfy Turnover
Rate and Water Velocity requirements.
For new installations, it is possible to calculate TDH very accurately by using
reference tables and manufacturers data to determine the friction loss asso-
ciated with every component in the circulation system.
For existing installations, we are often unable to determine the total amount of
pipe and fittings its underground. Therefore, what follows is a simplified
rule-of-thumb means of determining Total Dynamic Head.
We will need to add the resistance from the vacuum (suction) side of the exist-
ing pump to the resistance of the pressure side of the pump. Note this assumes
the Static Suction Lift (i.e. vertical distance from the center of the pumps
impeller to the surface of the water) is offset by the water returning to the pool.
A. Friction Loss (Vacuum)
_________inches of mercury x 1.13 ft of water = _________ft of water
(vacuum reading) (total resistance, vacuum)

Typically, however, a vacuum reading will not be available, therefore, the table
below provides Common Head Loss Factors for todays high-efficiency pumps.
Pump Size Head Loss Factor*
3/4 HP 4.5 to 5.5 ft of water
1 HP 7 to 9 ft of water
1 1/2 HP 10 to 12.5 ft of water
2 HP 13.5 to 16 ft of water
*Assumes 2" suction line, not to exceed 40 ft long, minimal fittings, one (1) 2" valve and full-rated pumps.

Total Resistance (Vacuum): 9 ft of water (existing 1 HP pump)

B. Friction Loss (Pressure)
____________ PSI x 2.31 ft of water / PSI = ____________ft of water
(filter pressure, clean) (total resistance, pressure)

Total Resistance (Pressure): 10 PSI x 2.31 ft of water / PSI = 23 ft of water

C. Total Dynamic Head
__________ ft of water + __________ ft of water = __________ft of water
(total resistance, vacuum) (total resistance, pressure) (total dynamic head)

Total Dynamic Head: 9 ft of water + 23 ft of water = 32 ft of water 4B. Pump Sizing, Existing Installations
4. Pump Sizing For existing installations, use the Total Dynamic Head calculated from the
We now have all the information necessary to select the proper size pump Friction Loss on the Vacuum and Pressure side of the pump.
and/or filter and then proceed based on new vs. aftermarket installations. Total Dynamic Head ____________ ft of water
A pumps performance data is provided in GPM (output) vs. Feet of Head Using the manufacturers performance curve for the existing pump, find the
(resistance). The specific performance data for Hayward pumps can be found flow that corresponds to the Total Dynamic Head. This is the actual flow at
in the Pump Section, pages 7-16. which the pump is currently operating, which may or may not meet Turnover
4A. Pump Sizing, New Installations Rate and Water Velocity requirements. Verify the actual flow rate is between
the minimum flow based on the Turnover Rate and the maximum flow based
For new installations, use the desired flow rate and Total Dynamic Head on the Water Velocity.
calculated from tables and manufacturers data:
Total Dynamic Head: 32 ft of water (assume to be the same as
Desired Flow ____________ GPM determined above)
Total Dynamic Head ____________ ft of water If the actual flow rate does not meet the Turnover Rate and Water Velocity
Using Hayward Pump Performance Curves or Tables, identify which pumps requirements, you must either modify the system to add or remove restrictions
performance comes closest to matching the point where the Desired Flow (e.g. use less restrictive plumbing fittings and/or equipment) or vary the flow by
intersects with the Total Dynamic Head. changing size of the pump.

18 HAYWARD
 Hydraulics
THE BASICS OF PUMP/FILTER SIZING

If you increase or decrease your flow for any reason, your resistance will Saving Money by Saving Energy
increase or decrease respectively. You cannot read horizontally across Depending upon utility rates, pool characteristics, and equipment selected,
the curve at the same Total Dynamic Head to choose another pump. it is possible to recoup the premium cost of an upgrade from a standard pump

Pumps
You must create a system curve based on the following relationship: to an energy efficient pump in the first year of operation.
For example, a system featuring an energy efficient high performance pump
drawing 5.34 amps at 230 volts where the local utility rate is $0.12 per kWh
will cost you approximately $1.78 over a 12 hour period per day. A standard
pump drawing 7.0 amps will cost you approximately $2.32 per day or an
extra $197 annually!
Use this worksheet to help determine your energy savings:
A. Motor Amp Rating A
B. Voltage (e.g. 115 volts or 230 volts) B
C. Local Energy Rate ($ per kWh) * C
D. Approximate Power Usage (Watts) = A x B D
E. Kilowatts = D / 1000 E
F. $ per hour = E x C F
_________ft of water x (______ GPM ______GPM) 2 = ______ft of water
(current friction loss) (new flow rate) (current flow rate) (new friction loss) G. Hours of Operation G
H. Cost per Day = F x G H
Choose the minimum and maximum flow rates based on Turnover Rate and
Water Velocity and calculate the corresponding friction loss using the formula J. Monthly Cost = H x 30 J
above. Plot each combination of friction loss and flow to create the system curve. K. Yearly Cost = H x 365 K
Current Flow: 70 GPM *Refer to your utility bill to determine locate rate

Current Friction Loss: 32 ft of water 4B. Filter Sizing

New Flow Rate (per Turnover Rate) = 35 GPM A filter, be it DE, sand, or cartridge, has a Design Flow Rate in GPM as
New Friction Loss = (32 ft of water) x (35 GPM 70 GPM) 2 = 8 ft of water well as a Turnover Capacity in Gallons. See the table below, for example.
The specific performance data for Hayward filters is provided in the
New Flow Rate (per Water Velocity) = 63 GPM Filter Section, pages 20-35.
New Friction Loss = (32 ft of water) x (63 GPM 70 GPM) 2 = 26 ft of water
Select a filter that meets or exceeds the desired flow rate and turnover
capacity in gallons.

Model Effective Design Flow Turnover Capacity

Number Filtration Rate (Gallons)
Area 8 Hours 10 Hours
S180T 1.75 ft 2 35 GPM 16,800 21,000
S210T 2.20 ft 2 44 GPM 21,120 26,400
S220T 2.64 ft 2 52 GPM 24,960 31,200
S244T 3.14 ft 2 62 GPM 29,760 37,200
S270T 3.70 ft 2 74 GPM 35,520 44,400
S310T 4.91 ft 2 98 GPM 47,040 58,800
S360SX 6.50 ft 2 131 GPM 62,400 78,000

Desired Flow: 50 GPM

Turnover 21,120 gallons in 10 hours
The point where the performance curve for a particular pump intersects the system
curve determines the flow and Total Dynamic Head where that pump will operate. Select S220T (minimum)
One additional factor to consider in filter sizing is bather load. Busier pools
require larger filters. Also, larger filters provide longer cycles, reducing
everyday maintenance required by the consumer during the pool season.
Summary
Using the information calculated above, you can properly size the pump,
filter, and corresponding equipment, assuring you meet Turnover Rate and
Water Velocity requirements while eliminating the electrical waste and
potential damage to other system components associated with a needlessly
oversized pump.

HAYWARD 19