COMPARISON BETWEEN

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT & ROTARY PUMP

The main difference between them is the way that energy is added to the
fluid to be converted to pressure increase.
In dynamic pumps, energy is added to the fluid continuously through
the rotary motion of the blades. These rotating blades raise the
momentum of fluid and the momentum then is converted to pressure
energy through diffuser in pump outlet.
In positive displacement pumps, the energy is added periodically to
the fluid. the pump has reciprocating motion by pistons for example.
When the fluid enters the pump through valves, the reciprocating piston

begins to press the fluid resulting in going out of the pump with pressure
rise.

The above shown diagram is a simple illustration of the flow rate

dependence on the pressure or head in two major types of pumps. In
reciprocating pump the losses increases with high head otherwise flow
rate is nearly constant. As pump takes a specific amount of fluid and
discharge it.
While on the other hand we could simple observe a slope graph for a
centrifugal pump. This is because with increase speed of rotor it will draw
more fluid but at the same time for this pump pressure will decrease.
So on basis of this we prefer centrifugal pump for high flow rates &
positive displacement pumps for high pressure requirements.
Centrifugal pumps are the most common one. There are many other
features which effect the selection of pump. Because different types of
pumps are suitable for different functions.

Here we have following properties

viscosity is one of the major
consideration in pump selection.
Viscosity
is
the
internal
resistance between different layers
of fluid during flow. In centrifugal
pump due to high viscosity the
rotor have to overcome the friction
losses.
While
the
positive
displacement
or
reciprocating
pump will avoid leakages and thus
increases efficiency.
The other most important factor is
priming. Priming is the process to
fill the casing with fluid. Pumps
could be self primed or else.
All of this means that if you intend to use a
centrifugal pump you're going to have to
come up with some sensible method of priming it. Your choices will include:

Install a foot valve in the suction piping to insure the liquid will not drain
from the pump casing and
suction piping when the pump
stops. Keep in mind that these
valves have a nasty habit of
leaking.
Evacuate the air in the system
with a positive displacement
priming
pump
operating
between the pump and a closed
discharge valve.
Fill the pump with liquid prior
to starting it.
Convert the application to a self
priming pump that maintains a
reservoir of liquid at its suction.
As the pressure developed is
related to the head by the
equation head
=
pr
/
sp.

weight, the pressure available will

be proportional to the specific
weight of the liquid. This means that
the pressure (or pressure difference)
created with air will be only around
1/800 times that with water
( density of water = 1000 kg/ m3
and dry air at S.T.P has a density of
1.2 kg/m3 ). Therefore, if the pump
is not primed, the suction pressure
created will not be sufficient to lift
water.

When to use a
Positive Displacement Pump
When to use a centrifugal or a Positive Displacement pump (PD Pump) is not always a
clear choice. To make a good choice between these pump types it is important to understand
that these two types of pumps behave very differently.

FLOW RATE VERSUS PRESSURE

By looking at the performance chart to the
right you can see just how different these
pumps are. The centrifugal has varying flow
depending on pressure or head, whereas the
PD pump has more or less constant flow
regardless of pressure.

FLOW RATE VERSUS VISCOSITY

Another major difference between the pump
types is the effect viscosity has on the capacity
of the pump. You will notice in the flow rate
chart how the centrifugal pump loses flow as
the viscosity goes up but the PD pumps flow
actually increases. This is because the higher
viscosity liquids fill the clearances of the
pump causing a higher volumetric efficiency.
Remember, this chart shows only the effect of
viscosity on the pump flow; when there is a
viscosity change there is also greater line loss
in the system. This means you will also have
to calculate the change in pump flow from the
first chart for this pressure change.

VERSUS PRESSURE

ve very differently when

the right you can see the
re have little effect on the

VERSUS

s an important role in pump

peed, efficiency goes down
fficiency often increases in
ff for the centrifugal pump

NET
HEAD

considering mechanical efficiency as well. B

impact of pressure changes on the pum
PD pump but a dramatic one on the centrifug

VISCOSITY

mechanical efficiency. Because the ce

as viscosity increases due to increased
a PD pump with increasing viscosity. No
as viscosity increases.

POSITIVE SUCTION
REQUIREMENTS

Another
consideration is NPSHR. In
a
centrifugal the NPSHR
varies as a
function of flow, which is
determined by pressure and viscosity as discussed above. In a PD pump, NPSHR varies as a
function of flow which is determined by speed. The lower the speed of a PD pump, the lower
the NPSHR.

NET POSITIVE SUCTION HEAD AVAILABLE:

OPERATING AT DIFFERENT POINTS ON THE CURVE

Another thing to keep in mind when comparing the two types of pumps is that a centrifugal
pump does best in the center of the curve. As you move either to the left or right, additional
considerations come into play. If you move far enough to the left or right, pump life is reduced
due to either shaft deflection or increased cavitation. With a PD pump you can operate the
pump on any point of the curve. In fact the volumetric efficiency as a percent actually
improves at the high speed part of the curve. This is due to the fact that the volumetric
efficiency is affected by slip, which is essentially constant. At low speed the percentage of slip
is higher than at high speed. The data presented in these charts is the actual data for a specific
application. The centrifugal was picked at its Best Efficiency Point (BEP) and the PD pump
(Internal Gear) was selected to match the flow, viscosity, and pressure. Different applications
will have different curves and efficiencies. These curves are presented as an example of the
performance behavior differences of the two pump principles.

PUMP SELECTION SCENARIOS

Now that you have a clearer understanding of the performance differences between these two pump
principles, when would you choose to use a PD pump? The following chart lists several such
scenarios.

HIGH VISCOSITY

As illustrated by the graphs above, even modest viscosities dramatically

affect the flow rate and efficiency of a centrifugal pump. While many
centrifugals are cataloged to 1,000 cSt and higher, PD pumps are clearly the
better choice when considering the high energy costs resulting from this lost
efficiency.

OPERATING
AWAY FROM
THE MIDDLE OF
THE CURVE

Centrifugals do not operate well when being run too far off the middle of
the curve. At best, this results in reduced efficiency which would require
larger motors and higher energy costs. At worst, this can result in cavitation
damage, shaft deflection, and premature pump failure. PD pumps on the
other hand can be run at any point on their curve without damaging the
pump or greatly affecting the efficiency.

VARIATIONS IN
PRESSURE

The first graph above clearly illustrates the effect that even modest changes
in pressure can have on the flow rate of a centrifugal pump. Additional
restrictions such as debris in a filter, corroded / rough piping, or a valve left
too far closed (or too far open) can have a dramatic effect on a centrifugal
pumps flow rate and efficiency. PD pumps maintain their flow rate and
efficiency even with significant changes in pressure.

VARIATIONS IN
VISCOSITY

Many liquids vary in viscosity depending on temperature or due to chemical

reaction. A rise in viscosity will independently alter the flow rate and
efficiency. Add to that the rise in pressure due to the increase in frictional
line losses and PD pumps become the clear choice for variable viscosity
applications.

HIGH
PRESSURES

While some centrifugals can be run in series to boost their pressures, none
can compete with PD pumps for high pressure applications. Pressure limits
will depend on the design of each pump, but pressures of 250 PSI (580 feet)
are not unusual for a PD pump, with some models going over 3,000 PSI
(7,000 feet). The capability for a PD pump to produce pressure is so great
that some type of system overpressure protection is required.

SHEAR
SENSITIVE
LIQUIDS

Generally speaking, pumps tend to shear liquids more as speed is increased

and centrifugals are high speed pumps. This makes PD pumps better able to
handle shear sensitive liquids.

SUCTION LIFT
APPLICATIONS

By their nature, PD pumps create a vacuum on the inlet side, making them
capable of creating a suction lift. Standard ANSI centrifugals do not create a
vacuum and cannot create a suction lift. There are self-priming centrifugal
designs that can lift liquid an average of 15 feet when partially filled (13
hg vacuum). Many dry PD pumps can pull that or better and wetted PD
pumps (a pump that is not full of liquid but with some liquid in it) can often
reach vacuums of 25 to 28 hg. PD pumps are the logical choice when a
suction lift is required.

PROPERTIES

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT
PUMP

CAPACITY

Medium/high

low

Low/medium

High

100000 + GPM

10,000+ GPM

6000 psi

100,000+ psi

REQUIRE RELIEF
VALVE

No

Yes

FLOW TYPE

Variable

Constant

PRIMING

required

Self-primed

FLOW
CHARACTERISTIC
S

Smooth

Pulsating

SPACE
CONSIDERATION

Less space required

More space required

INITIAL COST

Lower

Higher

MAINTAINANCE
COST

lower

Higher

ENERGY COSTS

higher

lower

LIQUID
RECOMENDATION

Water and low viscosity thin liquids.

Can pump solutions with solids given
proper impeller. Liquid should not

Viscous liquids, dirty chemicals,

tacky glue and adhesives, oil and
lubricants. Specially fitted pumps

PRESSURE
(HEAD)
MAXIMUM FLOW
RATE
MAXIMUM
PRESSURE

contain gas pockets

can handle abbrasives

HIGH VISCOSITY

even modest viscosities dramatically

affect the flow rate and efficiency of a
centrifugal pump. While many
centrifugals are cataloged to 1,000 cSt
and higher

PD pumps are clearly the better

choice when considering the high
energy costs resulting from this lost
efficiency.

OPERATING
AWAY FROM
THE MIDDLE OF
THE CURVE

Centrifugals do not operate well when

being run too far off the middle of the
curve. At best, this results in reduced
efficiency which would require larger
motors and higher energy costs. At
worst, this can result in cavitation
damage, shaft deflection, and
premature pump failure
The first graph above clearly
illustrates the effect that even modest
changes in pressure can have on the
flow rate of a centrifugal pump.
Additional restrictions such as debris
in a filter, corroded / rough piping, or
a valve left too far closed (or too far
open) can have a dramatic effect on a
centrifugal pumps flow rate and
efficiency.

PD pumps on the other hand can be

run at any point on their curve
without damaging the pump or
greatly affecting the efficiency.

VARIATIONS IN
PRESSURE

PD pumps maintain their flow rate

and efficiency even with significant
changes in pressure

VARIATIONS IN
VISCOSITY

Many liquids vary in viscosity

depending on temperature or due to
chemical reaction. A rise in viscosity
will independently alter the flow rate
and efficiency

Add to that the rise in pressure due

to the increase in frictional line
losses and PD pumps become the
clear choice for variable viscosity
applications.

HIGH
PRESSURES

While some centrifugals can be run in

series to boost their pressures, none
can compete with PD pumps for high
pressure applications

The capability for a PD pump to

produce pressure is so great that
some type of system overpressure
protection is required.

SHEAR
SENSITIVE
LIQUIDS

Generally speaking, pumps tend to

shear liquids more as speed is
increased and centrifugals are high
speed pumps

This makes PD pumps better able

to handle shear sensitive liquids.

SUCTION LIFT
APPLICATIONS

ANSI centrifugals do not create a

vacuum and cannot create a suction
lift. There are self-priming centrifugal
designs that can lift liquid an average
of 15 feet when partially filled (13 hg
vacuum).

By their nature, PD pumps create a

vacuum on the inlet side, making
them capable of creating a suction
lift.
Many dry PD pumps can pull that
or better and wetted PD pumps (a
pump that is not full of liquid but
with some liquid in it) can often
reach vacuums of 25 to 28 hg. PD

pumps are the logical choice when

a suction lift is required.