Introduction to

Pumps

?WHAT IS THE PUMP

A Pump is a device that adds energy or pressure to the liquid.

A Pump enables the liquid to:

1. Flow from a region of low pressure to one of high pressure.
2. Flow from a low level to a higher level.
3. Flow at a faster rate.

Pump
Types:
There are two main categories of pump:

Centrifugal pumps.
Positive displacement pumps.

PUMP

Positive
displacement

Centrifugal

Rotary

Reciprocatin
g

Centrifugal Pumps:
Centrifugal pumps have a rotating impeller, also known as a blade,
that is immersed in the liquid. Liquid enters the pump near the axis of the
impeller and the rotating impeller sweeps the liquid out toward the ends of
the impeller blades at high pressure.
For low flows and high pressures, the action of the impeller is
largely radial.

Positive-Displacement
Pumps:

A variety of positive-displacement pumps are also available,

generally consisting of a rotating member with a number of lobes that
move in a close-fitting casing. The liquid is trapped in the spaces between
the lobes and then discharged into a region of higher pressure. A common
device of this type is the gear pump, which consists of a pair of meshing
gears. The lobes in this case are the gear teeth.

What is the main difference between Centrifugal and Positive

Displacement pumps ?

The main difference between kinetic and positive displacement pumps

lies in the method of fluid transfer.

A kinetic pump imparts velocity energy to the fluid, which is converted to

pressure energy upon exiting the pump casing

A positive displacement pump moves a fixed volume of fluid within the pump
casing by applying a force to moveable boundaries containing the fluid volume.

The Table below outlines some of the main differences between centrifugal pumps,
reciprocating pumps and rotary pumps.

Parameter

Centrifugal Pumps

Reciprocating Pumps

Rotary Pumps

Medium/High Capacity,
Low/Medium Pressure

Low Capacity,
High Pressure

Low/Medium Capacity,
Low/Medium Pressure

100,000+ GPM

10,000+ GPM

10,000+ GPM

No

Yes

Yes

6,000+ PSI

100,000+ PSI

4,000+ PSI

No

Yes

Yes

Smooth or Pulsating Flow

Smooth

Pulsating

Smooth

Variable or Constant Flow

Variable

Constant

Constant

No

Yes

Yes

Requires Less Space

Requires More Space

Requires Less Space

Lower Initial
Lower Maintenance
Higher Power

Higher Initial
Higher Maintenance
Lower Power

Lower Initial
Lower Maintenance
Lower Power

Suitable for a wide range including

clean, clear, non-abrasive fluids to
fluids with abrasive, high-solid
content.

Suitable for clean, clear, nonabrasive fluids. Specially-fitted

pumps suitable for abrasiveslurry service.

Requires clean, clear, nonabrasive fluid due to close

tolerances

Not suitable for high viscosity fluids

Suitable for high viscosity fluids

Optimum performance with

high viscosity fluids

Lower tolerance for entrained

gases

Higher tolerance for entrained

gases

Higher tolerance for entrained

gases

Optimum Flow and

Pressure Applications
Maximum Flow Rate
Low Flow Rate Capability
Maximum Pressure
Requires Relief Valve

Self-priming
Space Considerations
Costs

Fluid Handling

Working Principle of Centrifugal Pumps:

Centrifugal pump works on the principle that when a
certain mass of liquid is made to rotate along the impeller from
the central axis of rotation, it impresses a centrifugal head. It
causes the water to move radially outwards at higher velocity
and causes the water to rise to a higher level. The motion of
water is restricted by casing of pump, it result into pressure build
up. In addition , the change in angular momentum of liquid during
its flow results into increase in pressure head.

Components of Centrifugal Pumps:

Performance Curves of Centrifugal Pumps:

Types of Impellers in Centrifugal Pumps:

Cavitation in Centrifugal Pumps:

Cavitation is defined as the phenomenon of formation of vapor bubbles of flowing
liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapor pressure and the
sudden collapsing of this vapor bubbles in a region of higher pressure. When the vapor
bubbles collapse, a very high pressure is created. The formation and the collapse of a great
number of bubbles on the surface produce intense local stresses that damage the surface by
fatigue. It may occur at the entry to pumps or at the exit from hydraulic turbines in the
vicinity of the moving blades.
The cavitation phenomenon develops in the impeller pump, when the pressure of
liquid falls below the saturated vapor pressure at the prevailing temperature ( Ps< Pv of
liquid), small vapor bubbles begin to form and the dissolved gases are evolved. The vapor
bubbles are caught up by the following liquid and swept into a region of higher pressure,
where they condense. Condensation takes place violently, accompanied by a tremendous
increase in pressure, which has the character of water hammer blows. These impact follow
each other in rapid succession, the vapor bubbles bursting both in the immediate vicinity of
the surface attacked and in the pores causing cavitation pitting with many effecting.

Positive Displacement Pumps:

A positive displacement pump makes a fluid move by trapping a fixed amount
and forcing (displacing) that trapped volume into the discharge pipe.
Positive displacement pumps, unlike centrifugal pumps, theoretically can
produce the same flow at a given speed (RPM) no matter what the discharge pressure. Thus,
positive displacement pumps are constant flow machines. However, a slight increase in
internal leakage as the pressure increases prevents a truly constant flow rate.

Positive Displacement Pump Types:

A positive displacement pump can be further classified according to the
mechanism used to move the fluid:

Rotary positive displacement pumps

Positive displacement rotary pumps move fluid using a rotating mechanism that
creates a vacuum that captures and draws in the liquid.

Reciprocating positive displacement pumps

Reciprocating pumps move the fluid using one or more oscillating pistons,
plungers, or membranes (diaphragms), while valves restrict fluid motion to the desired
direction.

Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps

Advantages: Rotary pumps are very efficient because they naturally remove air from the
lines, eliminating the need to bleed the air from the lines manually.
Drawbacks: The nature of the pump demands very close clearances between the rotating
pump and the outer edge, making it rotate at a slow, steady speed. If rotary pumps are
operated at high speeds, the fluids cause erosion, which eventually causes enlarged
clearances that liquid can pass through, which reduces efficiency.

Types:
Gear Pumps - a simple type of rotary pump where the liquid is pushed between two gears.
Screw Pumps - the shape of the internals of this pump is usually two screws turning against
each other to pump the liquid.
Rotary Vane Pumps - these have a cylindrical rotor encased in a similarly shaped housing.
As the rotor orbits, the vanes trap fluid between the rotor and the casing, drawing the fluid
through the pump.

Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps

Gear Pump

Screw
Pump

Rotary vane
Pump

Reciprocating Positive Displacement Pumps

Pumps in this category range from simplex, with one cylinder, to in some cases
quad (four) cylinders, or more. Many reciprocating-type pumps are duplex (two) or triplex
(three) cylinder.
They can be either single-acting with suction during one direction of piston
motion and discharge on the other, or double-acting with suction and discharge in both
directions.

Types:
Plunger Pumps - a reciprocating plunger pushes the fluid through one or two open
valves, closed by suction on the way back.

Diaphragm Pumps - similar to plunger pumps, where the plunger pressurizes

hydraulic oil which is used to flex a diaphragm in the pumping cylinder. Diaphragm valves are
used to pump hazardous and toxic fluids.

Piston Pumps - usually simple devices for pumping small amounts of liquid or gel
manually. The common hand soap dispenser is such a pump.

Reciprocating Positive Displacement Pump

Diaphragm Pump