Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps, used in almost any industry you can think of, are utilised to transfer fluid while increasing the pressure of that fluid. We know that, because of the diversity of the industries that use centrifugal pumps and the broad range of models available, it is imperative you get the right centrifugal pump for your application. Working from our decades of experience in the pump and plumbing industry, General Pumps is well placed to advise you and help you to identify the best centrifugal pump model for your requirements.
What are Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are hydraulically operated machines designed to transmit energy to fluids using centrifugal force. Their primary function is to increase fluid pressure for efficient transfer, making them the most widely used pumps across various industries. While their structures may vary, the fundamental operating principle and fluid dynamic characteristics remain consistent.
Key Components and Operation:
- Impeller: The heart of the centrifugal pump, the impeller rotates within a casing. It features a series of blades, often radially designed, that impart kinetic energy to the fluid.
- Casing: This houses the impeller and includes suction and discharge nozzles. The suction nozzle aligns with the impeller’s rotational axis, while the discharge nozzle is perpendicular to the impeller axis, lying on the plane that passes through the axis.
Centrifugal pumps are essential for fluid transfer applications, offering reliable and efficient performance in a wide range of industrial settings.
History of the centrifugal pumps
The modern concept of a centrifugal pump was not realised until the end of the 17th century though there were machines developed in the 15th century that had the characteristics of a centrifugal pump which were used to transport mud. The most commonly used pump type today is the centrifugal pump.
Centrifugal Pump Basics
Centrifugal pumps are used to transport liquids which may have some solids content. Unlike positive displacement which uses a mechanical actuation to move the fluid in a chamber, centrifugal pumps utilise rotating impellers to induce momentum to the fluid.
For example, in a radial flow pump which has components of suction and discharge ports and rotating impellers, this pump harnesses the rotational kinetic energy of the liquid (a function of mass and velocity) to impart motion. The speed of the impeller dictates the velocity of the fluid at the vane tip and hence the pressure and flow to the discharge port.
How Centrifugal Pumps Work
A motor drives a rotating impeller, drawing the liquid into the centre of the impeller and forcing the liquid through the impeller vanes and to the outside. The centrifugal force increases the speed of the liquid which in turn increases the liquid pressure between the inlet to the pump and the outlet of the pump creating a pressurised flow of liquid.
This makes a centrifugal pump well-suited to range of liquids including water, wastewater, sewage, petroleum, chemicals, beverages and much more. Traditionally, centrifugal pumps are used for transferring fluids with a viscosity of no more than 5500 cps.
Applications
Centrifugal pumps are used extensively in many different applications including:
- Industrial manufacturing & processing
- Municipal operations such as wastewater management
- Construction/building & mechanical services
- Quarrying & mining
- utilities
- Agriculture and
- Aquaculture
Why they’re great pumps?
Centrifugal pumps are excellent for moving a high volume of low viscosity fluids at fast speeds.
These pumps work best for water and other low viscosity fluids. They have a higher tolerance for abrasive solids than positive displacement pumps.
Centrifugal pumps are well-suited to a variety of liquids including: water, wastewater, sewage, petroleum and petrochemical pumping, beverages and much more.
Types of Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps offer a broad selection of applications and come in multiple types and styles. These include:
- Single Stage
- Multistage
- ISO
- DIN
- ANSI
- Self Priming
- Trash
- Slurry
- Split Case
- Magnetic Drive
- Vertical Inline
- Horizontal Split
- Condensate
- Screw
- Open Impeller
- Chopper
- Grinder
- Cantilever
- Long Column
- Vertical Turbine
- Axial Flow
- Close Coupled
- Long Coupled and
- Submersible.
