This Page is designed to give a brief introduction to

common types of pumps. It deciphers between the

two types of pumps and some of their
subcategories. It also contains some data on
specific pump types that can be used to choose the
ideal pump for a specific problem.

What is a pump?
A pump is a device that raises or transfers fluids.
Pumps are selected for processes not only to raise
and transfer fluids, but also to meet some other
criteria. This other criteria may be constant flow
rate or constant pressure.

What kind of pumps are there?

There are two main categories of pumps and they
are dynamic pumps and displacement. These two
categories also have many subcategories of pumps.

What are pumps used for?

Pumps are used for variety applications . Here is a

list of a few applications :
Drainage - Used to control the level of water in
a protected area.
Sewage - Used in the collection and treatment of
sewage.
Irrigation - Used to make dry lands
agriculturally productive.
Chemical Industry - Used to transport fluids to
and from various sites in the chemical plant.
Petroleum Industry - Used in every phase of
petroleum production, transportation, and refining.
Medical Field - Used to pump fluids in and out
of the body.
Steel Mills - Used to transport cooling water.

What are some important factors in

deciding on the right pump?
The selection of the pump class and type for a
certain application is influenced by system
requirements, system layout, fluid characteristics,
intended life, energy cost, code requirements, and
materials of construction.

Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive displacement pumps are another category
of pumps. Types of positive displacement pumps
are reciprocating, metering, and rotary pumps.
Positive displacement pumps operate by forcing a
fixed volume of fluid from the inlet pressure
section of the pump into the discharge zone of the
pump. These pumps generally tend to be larger than
equal-capacity dynamic pumps. Positive
displacement pumps frequently are used in
hydraulic systems at pressures ranging up to 5000
psi. A principal advantage of hydraulic power is the
high power density (power per unit weight) that
can be achieved. They also provide a fixed
displacement per revolution and, within mechanical
limitations, infinite pressure to move fluids.

- Reciprocating Pumps
In a reciprocating pump, a volume of liquid is
drawn into the cylinder through the suction valve
on the intake stroke and is discharged under
positive pressure through the outlet valves on the
discharge stroke. The discharge from a
reciprocating pump is pulsating and changes
changes only when the speed of the pump is
changed. This is because the intake is always a
constant volume.

Often an air chamber is connected on the discharge

side of the pump to provide a more even flow by
evening out the pressure surges. Reciprocating
pumps are often used for sludge and slurry.
One construction style of a reciprocating pump is
the direct-acting steam pump. These consist of a
steam cylinder end in line with a liquid cylinder
end, with a straight rod conection between the
steam piston and the pump piston or plunger. These
pistons are double acting which means that each
side pumps on every stroke.

Another construction style is the power pump

which convert rotary motion to low speed
reciprocating motion using a speed reducing gear.
The power pump can be either single or doubleacting. A single-acting design discharges liquid
only on one side of the piston or plunger. Only one
suction and one discharge stroke per revolution of
the crankshaft can occur.
The double-acting design takes suction and
discharges on both sides of the piston resulting in
two suctions and discharges per crankshaft
revolution. Power pumps are generally very
efficient and can develop high pressures. These
pumps do however tend to be expensive.

- Metering Pumps
Metering pumps provide precision control of very
low flow rates. Flow rates are generally less than
1/2 gallon per minute. They are usually used to
control additives to the main flow stream. They are
also called proportioning or controlled-volume
pumps. Metering pumps are available in either a
diaphragm or packed plunger style, and are
designed for clean service and dirty liquid can
easily clog the valves and nozzle connections.

- Rotary Pumps
A rotary pump traps fluid in its closed casing and
discharges a smooth flow. They can handle almost
any liquid that does not contain hard and abrasive
solids, including viscous liquids. They are also
simple in design and efficient in handling flow
conditions that are usually considered to low for
economic application of centrifuges. Types of
rotary pumps include cam-and-piston, internalgear, lobular, screw, and vane pumps. Gear pumps
are found in home heating systems in which the
burners are fired by oil

Rotary pumps find wide use for viscous liquids.

When pumping highly viscous fluids, rotary pumps
must be operated at reduced speeds because at
higher speeds the liquid cannot flow into the casing
fast enough to fill it. Unlike a centrifugal pump, the
rotary design will deliver a capacity that is not
greatly affected by

Disadvantages
Advantages
Usually requires
Only two moving parts.
moderate speeds.
Only one stuffing box.
Medium pressure
Positive suction,
limitations.
nonpulsating discharge.
One bearing runs in the
Ideal for high-viscosity
product pumped.
liquids.
Constant and even
Overhung load on shaft
discharge regardless of
bearing.
pressure conditions.
Operates well in either
direction.
Can be made to operate
with one direction of
flow with either rotation.
Low NPSH required.
Single adjustable end
clearance.
Easy to maintain.

Flexible design offers

application
customization.

pressure variations on either the suction or

discharge ends. In services where large changes in
pressure are anticipated, the rotary design should
be considered.

Dynamic Pumps
Dynamic pumps are one category of pumps under
which there are several classes, two of which are:
centrifugal and axial. These pumps operate by
developing a high liquid velocity and converting
the velocity to pressure in a diffusing flow passage.
Dynamic pumps usually have lower efficiencies
than positive displacement pumps, but also have
lower maintenance requirements. Dynamic pumps
are also able to operate at fairly high speeds and
high fluid flow rates.

Centrifugal Pumps
A centrifugal pump consists of an impeller and an
intake at its center. These are arranged so that when
the impeller rotates, liquid is discharged by
centrifugal force into a casing surounding the
impeller. The casing is there in order to gradually
decrease the velocity of the fluid which leaves the
impeller at a high velocity.
This velocity is converted
to pressure which is needed to
discharge the fluid.
Some of the advantages of
cenrtifugal pumps are, smooth
flow through the pump and uniform pressure in the
discharge pipe, low costand an operating speed that
allows for direct connection to steam turbines and
electric motor. The centrifugal pump accounts for
not less then 80% of the worlds pump production
because it is more suitable for handling large
capacities of liquids than the positive-displacement
pump.

Axial Flow Pumps

Axial flow pumps are also called propeller pump.
These pumps develop most of their pressure by the
propelling or lifting action of the vanes on the
liquid. These pumps are often used in wet-pit
drainage, low-pressure irrigation, and storm-water
applications. In general, vertical single-stage axial
and mixed-flow pumps are used however,
sometimes two-stage axial-flow pumps are
economically more practical. Horizontal axial-flow
pumps are used for pumping large volumes against
low pressures and usually employ siphonic action.
When higher pressures are involved, these pumps
can be arranged to operate with siphonic action
until the back pressure places the hydraulic
gradient above the pump.