Headflow

Headflow is a term used in fluid dynamics and hydraulic engineering to describe the relationship between head and flow in a piping or pump system. Head refers to the energy per unit weight of the fluid and can be expressed as a combination of elevation head, pressure head, and velocity head. Flow, or discharge, is the volume of fluid passing a point per unit time. The exact interpretation of headflow varies by domain, but it generally concerns how a given head difference drives flow or how flow is produced by an imposed head.

In pump design, the head–flow curve (or characteristic curve) plots the head produced by a pump against the flow rate. Engineers use it to match pumps to system requirements by comparing the curve to the system head losses, which arise from pipe friction, fittings, and elevation changes. Key quantities include static head, friction headloss, total dynamic head, and required net positive suction head (NPSH).

Within a hydraulic network, head differences between points determine the driving force for flow, while losses reduce head as flow increases. Understanding headflow relationships informs pipe sizing, valve selection, and energy efficiency analysis.

Outside technical usage, HeadFlow may appear as a brand name, product line, or project title in various industries, but there is no single standardized definition across disciplines.

See also: Hydraulics, Pump curve, Head loss, Total dynamic head, NPSH.