This calculator applies an idealized average energy balance to a user-entered hydraulic-ram efficiency, drive head and delivery lift. It does not predict whether a real ram will cycle or deliver the calculated flow.
Hydraulic Irrigation Engine Interactive Calculator
Explore head ratio, user-assumed energy efficiency, ideal delivered-flow fraction and static freshwater head pressure.
Equation Used
- Positive vertical drive head and delivery lift measured between relevant free surfaces.
- Entered efficiency represents all losses and is not derived from geometry or operating state.
- Steady average energy comparison; no waste-valve, delivery-valve, air-chamber or transient model.
- No source-flow sufficiency, pipe sizing/friction, cycle stability, surge pressure, structure, water quality, environmental or safety model.
The efficiency input is an assumption, not a prediction. Delivered and waste percentages are normalized fractions of an unspecified drive flow; pipe friction, velocity head and all transient ram dynamics are absent.
How head and flow are related
A hydraulic ram can use the energy lost by a larger drive-water flow descending through head Hd to raise a smaller delivery flow through lift Hl. If eta is an assumed overall energy efficiency, eta rho g Qd Hd=rho g Ql Hl, giving Ql/Qd=eta Hd/Hl.
This average identity does not model the transient valve cycle that makes a ram operate.
Use as a preliminary ratio check
The calculator can translate an assumed efficiency and two vertical heads into a normalized delivered-flow fraction. It cannot determine whether a site or pump design will start, remain stable, withstand surge or meet an irrigation demand.
Head and flow ratios
Delivered share is 100 eta Hd/Hl percent of drive flow. The displayed balance share is simply 100 minus that result; it is not a separately modeled waste-valve flow. Lift ratio is Hl/Hd.
Static freshwater pressure is approximately 0.0980665 bar per metre of head under standard gravity. Real delivery pressure also depends on friction and operating transients.
Worked head-ratio example
For Hd=4 m, Hl=28 m and assumed eta=70%, the lift ratio is 7:1 and the idealized delivered share is 10.0% of drive flow. The arithmetic balance share is 90.0%, and 28 m freshwater head is about 2.746 bar static pressure.
Scope and limitations
A real assessment requires measured seasonal source flow and levels, available drive head, drive-pipe length/diameter/material and friction, delivery-line losses, valve masses and settings, air chamber, snifter behavior, cycle frequency and stability, transient surge, debris and freezing, foundations, drainage and environmental permissions. Use verified manufacturer data and qualified hydraulic design.
Questions
Does the efficiency slider predict actual efficiency?
No. It is a user assumption.
Is the balance share measured waste flow?
No. It is only the remainder of a normalized energy-balance share.
Does the pressure tile include water hammer?
No. It is static freshwater head only.
Calculation basis
For average flow, the available gravitational power is ρgQdrive Hdrive. Equating a user-assumed fraction η of that power to ρgQdelivery Hdelivery gives Qdelivery/Qdrive = ηHdrive/Hdelivery.
The static pressure conversion uses water density 1,000 kg/m³ and standard gravity 9.80665 m/s². It excludes friction and surge pressure. Neither this energy identity nor the two-line illustration represents a particular historical irrigation engine, its valves or its operating cycle.
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