7.

Positive Displacement Pump Applications

Positive Displacement Pump Applications

The term positive displacement refers to the way
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decreasing the volume that contains it. One type
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every stroke pushes along a certain amount of
XLG$QH[DPSOHRIDURWDU\GLVSODFHPHQWSXPS
is a screw pump, which uses two parallel,
overlapping screws to push along a certain volume
with each revolution.

XApplications
Although positive displacement pumps have
higher maintenance requirements than other
types, they are inherently better suited for certain
applications. These applications include the
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Q

High-Pressure/Low-Flow Applications. Positive

displacement pumps are usually more effective
LQJHQHUDWLQJKLJKSUHVVXUHVLQORZRZDSSOL
cations. Although centrifugal pumps can be
designed to generate high pressuresusually
through the use of multiple stagesthese
special pumps tend to be comparatively
expensive.
High-Fluid-Viscosity Applications. Positive
displacement pumps are more effective than
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%\GLUHFWO\SUHVVXUL]LQJWKHXLGVSRVLWLYH
displacement pumps lose less energy to the
high shear stresses that are inherent in viscous
XLGV
Accurately Controlled Flow Applications. Since
each stroke or revolution generates a certain
DPRXQWRIRZSRVLWLYHGLVSODFHPHQWSXPSV
are typically used in applications requiring
SUHFLVHRZFRQWURO%\FRQWUROOLQJWKHQXPEHU
of pump cycles, positive displacement pumps
DUHZHOOVXLWHGIRUPHWHUHGRZDSSOLFDWLRQV

In addition, many positive displacement pumps

have certain unique characteristics that make them
attractive. For example, positive displacement
pumps are usually self-priming and can operate

Related Tip Sheet

Related information is available in an ITP
BestPractices Tip Sheet titled Pump Selection
Considerations. Tip sheets can be found in
Appendix C, accessed on the Web at
www.eere.energy.gov/industry/
bestpractices, or obtained by contacting the
EERE Information Center at 877-337-3463.

with entrained gases in the suction line. This

feature allows system designers to place these
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the system layout. Centrifugal pumps often require
special system equipment to remove gases and
prime the impeller. Although some centrifugal
pumps are designed to be self-priming, they are
DOVRH[SHQVLYHOHVVUHOLDEOHDQGOHVVHIFLHQW
and gas must still be removed.
Certain positive displacement pumpssuch as
diaphragm and peristaltic typesdo not require
seals and thus do not leak. In systems that handle
FRUURVLYHRUKD]DUGRXVXLGVHOLPLQDWLQJWKH
need for seal maintenance can yield substantial
cost savings.

XSpecial Considerations
Positive displacement pumps are usually installed
with pressure relief valves. In fact, in many of
these pumps, relief valves are internal to the
pump. This protection is needed because the
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irrespective of backpressure. Consequently, if the
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GRZQVWUHDPRIWKHSXPSXLGSUHVVXUHEXLOGV
until the motor torque reaches an overload
condition or until the piping or other equipment
ruptures. Although relief valves are designed
to protect against such damage, they require
periodic testing and maintenance. A relief valve
that fails to operate properly can cause costly
system damage.
41

A Sourcebook for Industry

7. Positive Displacement Pump Applications

Positive displacement pumps also typically have

SXOVDWLQJRZFKDUDFWHULVWLFV,QVRPHV\VWHPV
these pulsations can create vibration problems,
especially if the pulse rate has a harmonic component that coincides with the natural frequency
of any piping or structure. Flow-induced piping
vibrations create cyclic loading on piping welds
and piping supports; they can also accelerate the
loosening of mechanical joints. These vibrations
can be dampened by using accumulators to absorb
some of the vibrational energy.
Another consideration is the need for storage of
spare parts. Because of the relatively high number
of moving parts associated with many positive
displacement pumps, some facilities have to
maintain a large spare parts inventory. For
example, mating surfaces on the internal valves of
many reciprocating pumps are susceptible to wear
and require periodic replacement. Although these
parts can be obtained from a manufacturer or parts
supplier, plants often prefer to keep common
replacement parts on hand to minimize downtime.
Consequently, using pumps with a large number of
moving parts can increase a plants maintenance
workload and inventory holding costs.

42

Improving Pumping System Performance