Types of Pumps:

Centrifugal Pump
A centrifugal pump is a dynamic machine that uses a rotating impeller to impart
energy to a fluid, converting mechanical energy into kinetic energy and pressure
energy. It is widely used for transporting liquids in industries due to its simple design,
high efficiency, and ability to handle large volumes at relatively low pressures.

Working Principle

The operation of a centrifugal pump is based on the principle of centrifugal force. The
fluid enters the pump through the suction pipe and flows into the center (eye) of the
rotating impeller. As the impeller rotates, it imparts velocity to the fluid, forcing it
radially outward to the pump casing. The kinetic energy of the fluid is then converted
into pressure energy as it exits the pump through the discharge pipe.

Main Components (Construction)

 1. Impeller:
o The rotating component that imparts energy to the fluid.
o Types of impellers:
 Open: No shrouds, suitable for fluids with suspended solids.
 Semi-open: One shroud, balances efficiency and solid handling.
 Closed: Both shrouds, most efficient, used for clean liquids.
2. Casing:
o Encloses the impeller and guides the fluid.
o Volute casing: Converts kinetic energy into pressure energy efficiently.
o Diffuser casing: Uses stationary vanes for smoother flow.
3. Suction Pipe:
o Guides the fluid into the pump.
4. Discharge Pipe:
o Directs the fluid out of the pump.
5. Shaft:
o Connects the impeller to the motor and transfers rotational energy.
6. Seal:
o Prevents leakage of fluid around the rotating shaft.
7. Bearing:
o Supports the shaft and reduces friction.
8. Motor:
o Provides the mechanical energy required to rotate the impeller.

Types of Centrifugal Pumps

1. Based on Flow Direction:

o Radial Flow: Fluid moves perpendicular to the pump shaft.
o Axial Flow: Fluid moves parallel to the pump shaft.
o Mixed Flow: Combines radial and axial flow.
2. Based on Number of Impellers:
o Single-stage: One impeller, used for low head and high flow.
o Multi-stage: Multiple impellers in series, used for high head applications.
3. Based on Casing Design:
o Volute Pump: Spiral casing reduces velocity and increases pressure.
o Diffuser Pump: Multiple guide vanes reduce energy losses.
4. Based on Shaft Orientation:
o Horizontal Pump: Shaft is horizontal; easier to maintain.
o Vertical Pump: Shaft is vertical; compact and used in confined spaces.
5. Based on working head:

o Low lifting centrifugal Pump : Build up heads as high as 15 m

 o High lifting Centrifugal Pump : Build up heads as high as above 40 m
o Medium Lifting Centrifugal Pump: Build up heads as high as 40 m

Advantages

1. Simple Design:
o Easy to construct, operate, and maintain.
2. Handles Large Volumes:
o Suitable for applications with high flow rates.
3. Cost-Effective:
o Low initial and operational costs.
4. Continuous Flow:
o Delivers a smooth and steady discharge.
5. Versatility:
o Can handle various fluids, including water, chemicals, and slurries.

Disadvantages

1. Low Efficiency at Low Flow:

o Performance drops significantly at reduced flow rates.
2. Requires Priming:
o Cannot handle air or gases without additional equipment.
3. Limited to Moderate Head:
o Not suitable for very high-pressure applications.
4. Susceptible to Cavitation:
o Can be damaged by vapor bubbles forming and collapsing within the
pump.

Applications

1. Water Supply Systems:

o Municipal water distribution and irrigation.
2. Industrial Processes:
o Pumping chemicals, petroleum products, and slurries.
3. HVAC Systems:
o Circulation of water and coolant in heating and cooling systems.
4. Power Plants:
o Boiler feed pumps and cooling water circulation.
5. Wastewater Treatment:
o Handling sewage and treated water.
Reciprocating Pump:
A reciprocating pump is a type of positive displacement pump used to move fluids or
gases by a back-and-forth (reciprocating) motion of a piston, plunger, or diaphragm
inside a cylinder. It is widely used in industries for high-pressure, low-flow
applications.

Types of Reciprocating Pumps

1. Based on Operation:

o Single-acting pump: Fluid is displaced only in one direction of the piston

movement.

o Double-acting pump: Fluid is displaced in both directions of the piston

movement.

2. Based on Piston Design:

o Piston Pump: Uses a piston for fluid displacement.

o Plunger Pump: Uses a plunger, which is more suitable for high-pressure

applications.

3. Based on Drive Mechanism:

o Power-driven pump: Uses an electric motor or engine for driving.

o Hand-operated pump: Requires manual operation.

Working Principle

The reciprocating pump operates on the principle of positive displacement, which

means that the fluid is physically displaced from a chamber by a piston or plunger. The
operation occurs in two strokes:
 1. Suction Stroke:

o As the piston moves backward (towards the far end of the cylinder), the
volume inside the cylinder increases, creating a vacuum.

o This vacuum causes the suction valve to open, allowing the fluid to flow
into the cylinder from the suction pipe.

2. Delivery Stroke:

o When the piston moves forward (towards the pump head), the volume
inside the cylinder decreases, and the pressure rises.

o The increased pressure causes the suction valve to close and the delivery
valve to open, forcing the fluid to be discharged through the delivery
pipe.

This cycle repeats, ensuring a continuous flow of fluid.

Main Components (Construction):

1. Cylinder:

o The chamber where the fluid is displaced. It houses the piston or plunger.

2. Piston or Plunger:

o A moving component that creates the reciprocating motion. It is

connected to a crankshaft via a connecting rod.

3. Suction Pipe:

o A pipe through which the fluid is drawn into the pump.

4. Delivery Pipe:

o A pipe through which the fluid is discharged after pressurization.

5. Suction and Delivery Valves:

o One-way valves that ensure fluid flows in the correct direction during
suction and delivery strokes.

6. Crankshaft and Connecting Rod:

o Converts rotary motion into the reciprocating motion of the piston.

7. Stuffing Box:

o Prevents leakage of fluid where the piston rod enters the cylinder.

Advantages

1. High pressure: Suitable for applications requiring high pressure at low flow
rates.

2. Precise control: Can handle small volumes with great accuracy.

3. Self-priming: Can handle a mixture of air and liquid.

4. Versatility: Capable of pumping viscous, abrasive, or even slurry-type fluids.

Disadvantages

1. Low flow rate: Not suitable for high-flow applications.

2. Pulsating flow: The discharge is not smooth, leading to vibration and noise.

3. High maintenance: More components mean frequent servicing is required.

4. Limited speed: Operates at lower speeds compared to centrifugal pumps.

Applications

1. Oil and Gas Industry:

o High-pressure injection of chemicals or water.

2. Chemical Processing:

o Pumping corrosive or abrasive liquids.

3. Water Supply Systems:

o Used in hydraulic systems or small-scale irrigation.

4. Power Plants:

o Boiler feed applications.

5. Mining:

o Dewatering and handling slurry.

Rotary Pump
A rotary pump is a type of positive displacement pump that uses the rotational motion
of its components to move fluids. Unlike reciprocating pumps, rotary pumps provide a
continuous flow and are suitable for handling a wide variety of liquids, including those
with high viscosities.

Types of Rotary Pumps

1. Gear Pump:

o External Gear Pump: Uses two interlocking gears.

o Internal Gear Pump: Has one gear inside another, with a crescent-shaped
spacer.

2. Vane Pump:

o Contains sliding vanes in a rotor that sweep against the pump casing to
move fluid.

3. Screw Pump:

o Uses intermeshing screws to move fluid along the axis of rotation.

4. Lobe Pump:

o Uses two or more lobes that rotate without touching to transport fluid.
Working Principle

The rotary pump operates by trapping a fixed volume of fluid and transferring it from
the inlet to the outlet by the rotation of gears, vanes, screws, or lobes. As the rotating
element moves, it creates a vacuum on the inlet side, allowing fluid to flow in. This
fluid is then transported and discharged at higher pressure on the outlet side.

Main Components (construction)

1. Casing:

o Encloses the internal moving parts and provides a sealed environment for
fluid transport.

2. Rotors (or Rotating Elements):

o The mechanism that displaces the fluid. Common designs include gears,
screws, vanes, or lobes.

3. Inlet and Outlet Ports:

o The fluid enters through the inlet and exits at higher pressure through the
outlet.
 4. Shaft:

o Connects the driving mechanism to the rotors, enabling their rotation.

5. Seals:

o Prevent leakage of fluid from the casing.

Advantages

1. Continuous Flow:

o Smooth, non-pulsating discharge compared to reciprocating pumps.

2. Handles High Viscosity:

o Efficiently pumps thick and viscous fluids like oils, syrups, and sludge.

3. Self-Priming:

o Can lift fluids from a lower level without external priming.

4. Compact Design:

o Requires less space compared to other pump types.

5. Efficient for Low Flow Rates:

o Maintains efficiency even at lower flow rates.

Disadvantages

1. Limited to Clean Fluids:

o Particles or debris can damage internal components.

2. Complex Design:

o Requires precise manufacturing, leading to higher costs.

3. Maintenance Issues:

o Components like seals and rotors can wear out over time.

4. Limited Pressure:

o Typically not suitable for very high-pressure applications.

Applications

1. Oil and Gas:

o Lubrication systems, fuel transfer, and chemical dosing.

2. Food and Beverage:

o Pumps viscous products like syrups, sauces, and chocolate.

3. Pharmaceuticals:

o Used for sterile and precise fluid handling.

4. Chemical Processing:

o Suitable for handling corrosive or high-viscosity chemicals.

5. Hydraulic Systems:

o Used in hydraulic power systems to transport oil.

Gear Pump

A gear pump is a type of positive displacement rotary pump that uses the meshing of
gears to pump fluid by displacement. It is known for its simplicity, reliability, and
ability to handle a wide range of viscosities. Gear pumps are commonly used in
industries for lubricating systems, hydraulic operations, and fuel transfer.
Working Principle

The operation of a gear pump involves two gears rotating in mesh within a casing.
These gears create a partial vacuum that draws fluid into the pump, traps it in the teeth
of the gears, and then forces it out through the discharge port.

1. Suction Side: As the gears unmesh, a low-pressure region is created, drawing

fluid into the pump.
2. Transfer Zone: The fluid is trapped between the gear teeth and the casing,
moving along with the gear rotation.
3. Discharge Side: The meshing of the gears forces the fluid out of the pump at a
higher pressure.

Types of Gear Pumps

1. External Gear Pump:

o Composed of two identical external gears.
o Simple design with high-pressure capabilities.
o Used for transferring oils, fuels, and hydraulic fluids.
2. Internal Gear Pump:
o Features one gear inside another, separated by a crescent-shaped spacer.
o Provides smooth operation and is suitable for handling viscous liquids.

Advantages of Gear Pumps

 High efficiency for low to medium viscosities.

 Compact and robust design.
 Capable of pumping at high pressures.
 Self-priming capabilities.

Disadvantages of Gear Pumps

 Not ideal for handling abrasive or solid-laden fluids.

 Potential for wear in gears over time.
 Limited to moderate flow rates.

Applications of Gear Pumps

 Lubrication systems in engines and machinery.

 Oil and fuel transfer in industries.
 Hydraulic systems and chemical processing.
Vane Pump

A vane pump is another type of positive displacement rotary pump that uses a series of
vanes mounted on a rotor to pump fluids. These pumps are well-suited for low to
medium viscosity liquids and are often used in automotive, aviation, and industrial
applications.

Working Principle

The vane pump operates by trapping fluid between the vanes and the pump casing as
the rotor spins. The sliding vanes move radially within slots in the rotor and maintain
contact with the pump casing, ensuring a sealed chamber.

1. Suction Phase: As the rotor turns, the volume between the vanes increases,
creating a vacuum that draws fluid into the pump.
2. Compression Phase: The trapped fluid is carried to the discharge side as the
vanes rotate.
3. Discharge Phase: The volume between the vanes decreases, compressing the
fluid and forcing it out at a higher pressure.
Types of Vane Pumps

1. Fixed Displacement Vane Pump:

o Delivers a constant volume of fluid per revolution.
o Common in lubrication and fuel systems.
2. Variable Displacement Vane Pump:
o Allows the adjustment of the pump output by changing the eccentricity
between the rotor and the casing.
o Used in hydraulic systems for energy efficiency.

Advantages of Vane Pumps

 Smooth and consistent flow with minimal pulsation.

 Compact and lightweight design.
 Suitable for low to medium viscosity fluids.
 Can handle low-pressure applications effectively.

Disadvantages of Vane Pumps

 Wear and tear of vanes due to sliding contact.

 Limited performance with high-viscosity or abrasive fluids.
 Higher maintenance requirements compared to gear pumps.

Applications of Vane Pumps

 Power steering systems in vehicles.

 Aviation fueling systems.
 Hydraulic systems in industrial machinery.
 Refrigeration and air-conditioning systems.