Boosting duty
Awaiting Valid Duty Parameters
Adjust the parameters on the left to compute live hydraulic values, ranges, and sizing verdicts.
Low pressure at your plant?
We repair and commission booster sets for water supply and RO plants — pressure verified against the system curve before and after.
Booster pump sizing explained
Head is the pressure gap
A booster adds head to whatever the supply already provides: required head = (desired pressure − supply pressure) × 10.2 m/bar + elevation gain + friction. Boosting from 2 bar to 6 bar with 15 m of elevation and 3 m friction needs about 59 m — a 1.5 kW class pump at 5 m³/h.
The pressure gap matters more than the absolute pressure: boosting 5 bar to 7 bar needs far less pump than boosting 0.5 bar to 4 bar, even at the same final pressure.
Supply pressure reality
Supply pressure is not constant — municipal mains drop at peak hours, and overhead tanks empty. Size the booster for the worst-case supply pressure and check the flow the supply can actually deliver; a booster starved of feed pressure cavitates or deadheads. The NPSH tool covers the suction side.
Booster sets typically pair a jockey pump (small, covers leakage and low demand) with the main pump, switched by pressure sensors.
Boosting for RO
RO feed boosters lift the feed to the membrane operating pressure and compensate for fouling as the plant runs. Sizing follows the same head logic, with the RO recovery calculator giving the feed flow to enter here. Teflow repairs and re-commissions RO booster sets across Gujarat — call +91 98251 62709 for a check.
Technical & Operational FAQs
Q1.How do I size a booster pump?
Head = (desired pressure − supply pressure) × 10.2 + elevation + friction. Flow = the demand at peak. Power = flow × head ÷ (367 × efficiency), rounded to the IS frame. Boosting 2→6 bar with 15 m elevation: about 59 m head, ~1.5 kW at 5 m³/h.
Q2.What is the difference between a booster and a normal pump?
A booster operates on an existing supply — its head adds to the incoming pressure. A normal pump draws from a tank or well and provides all the head. Sizing uses the pressure gap, not the absolute discharge pressure.
Q3.Do I need a jockey pump?
For variable demand, yes: a small jockey pump covers leakage and low flows, so the main pump does not cycle on and off every few minutes. The main pump then handles peak demand. For steady process loads, a single correctly sized booster suffices.
Q4.Why is my booster not reaching pressure?
Check supply pressure at peak hours, verify the set point and sensors, and confirm the pump curve matches the duty. A partially closed discharge valve, a fouled suction strainer or a worn impeller all drop the discharge pressure below the curve.
Q5.What pressure do RO plants need?
Depends on membrane type and feed TDS — typically 5–15 bar for brackish water and up to 60+ bar for seawater. The booster supplies the differential above the feed pressure; use the RO recovery calculator for the feed flow to size it.
Related Engineering Tools
RO Recovery Calculator
NPSH Available Calculator
Pipe Sizing Calculator
RO Booster Repair
Pump Repair Service
Water Treatment
Need a custom hydraulic audit or specific duty curve verification? Call +91 98251 62709 or Request a Detailed Engineering Quote.