A technique for determining pump flow without using traditional sensors features steps and modules for creating a calibrated power curve at closed valve conditions at several speeds; calculating coefficients from a normalized power curve based on a pump's
power ratio; and solving a polynomial power equation for flow at the current
operating point. The calibrated power curve may be created by increasing the speed of the pump from a minimum speed to a maximum speed and operating the pump with a closed
discharge valve. This data is used to correct published performance for shutoff power and best efficiency point power at rated speed in order to determine the pump's
power ratio. It is also used to accurately determine closed valve power at the current
operating speed. The pump's
power ratio is determined by the equation: Pratio=Pshutoff @100% / PBEP<sub2>—< / sub2>corr. The polynomial power equation may, for example, include a 3rd order polynomial equation developed using coefficients from the normalized power versus
flow curve, and corrections may be made for speed, hydraulic efficiency and
specific gravity in the polynomial power equation. Complex roots may be determined to solve the 3rd order polynomial equation using either Muller's method or some other suitable method, and the calculated actual flow may be determined for a specific
operating point.