Types of Pumps

Classification of the Pump Universe:

Centrifugal:
 Axial Flow
 Mixed Flow
 Radial Flow

Reciprocating:
 Metering
 Piston, Plunger, diaphragm

Rotary:
 Single Rotary
 Vane
 Piston
 Screw
 Peristalic
 Multiple Rotor
 Gear
 Lobe
 Circumferential Piston
 Screw
Centrifugal pumps:
The Centrifugal or roto-dynamic pump produces a head and a flow by increasing the velocity of the
liquid through the machine with the help of a rotating vane impeller. Centrifugal pumps include radial,
axial and mixed flow units.

A centrifugal pump converts the input power to kinetic energy in the liquid by accelerating the liquid by
a revolving device - an impeller. The most common type is the volute pump. Fluid enters the pump
through the eye of the impeller which rotates at high speed. The fluid is accelerated radially outward
from the pump chasing. A vacuum is created at the impellers eye that continuously draws more fluid
into the pump.

The energy created by the pump is kinetic energy according the Bernoulli Equation. The energy
transferred to the liquid corresponds to the velocity at the edge or vane tip of the impeller. The faster
the impeller revolves or the bigger the impeller is the higher will the velocity of the liquid energy
transferred to the liquid be.

Pressure and Head

The kinetic energy of a liquid coming out of an impeller is obstructed by creating a resistance in the flow.
The first resistance is created by the pump casing which catches the liquid and slows it down. When the
liquid slows down the kinetic energy is converted to pressure energy.

It is the resistance to the pump's flow that is read on a pressure gauge attached to the discharge line.

A pump does not create pressure, it only creates flow. Pressure is a measurement of the resistance to
flow.

In Newtonian fluids (non-viscous liquids like water or gasoline) the term head is used to measure the
kinetic energy which a pump creates. Head is a measurement of the height of the liquid column the
pump creates from the kinetic energy the pump gives to the liquid.

The main reason for using head instead of pressure to measure a centrifugal pump's energy is that
the pressure from a pump will change if the specific gravity (weight) of the liquid changes, but the
head will not.

The pump's performance on any Newtonian fluid can always be described by using the term head.
Types Of Centrifugal Pumps:

Centrifugal Pump Classification by Flow

Centrifugal pumps can be classified based on the manner in which fluid flows through the pump. The
manner in which fluid flows through the pump is determined by the design of the pump casing and the
impeller. The three types of flow through a centrifugal pump are radial flow, axial flow, and mixed flow.

Axial Flow Pumps:

In an axial flow pump, the impeller pushes the liquid in a direction parallel to the pump shaft. Axial flow
pumps are sometimes called propeller pumps because they operate essentially the same as the
propeller of a boat. The impeller of a typical axial flow pump and the flow through a radial flow pump
are shown in the below Figure

Radial flow pumps:

In a radial flow pump, the liquid enters at the center of the impeller and is directed out along the
impeller blades in a direction at right angles to the pump shaft. The impeller of a typical radial flow
pump and the flow through a radial flow pump are shown in the below Figure.
Mixed flow centrifugal pumps borrow characteristics from both radial flow and axial flow pumps. As
liquid flows through the impeller of a mixed flow pump, the impeller blades push the liquid out away
from the pump shaft and to the pump suction at an angle greater than 90 degrees. The impeller of a
typical mixed flow pump and the flow through a mixed flow pump are shown below.

Reciprocating pumps
Reciprocating pumps operate by moving a plunger back and forth through a cylinder. The plunger
provides pulses of pressure as it moves. Reciprocating pumps can be single action or double action
(pump provides pressure as the piston advances and as it retracts).

They also provide a fixed displacement per revolution and, within mechanical limitations, infinite
pressure to move fluids.

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 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
motio using a speed reducing gear. The power pump can be either single or double-acting. 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.

Reciprocating Uses

Reciprocating pumps are ideal for providing short bursts of high pressure. Examples include bicycle
pumps and well pumps.

 Metering Pumps

Metering pumps provide precision control of very low flow rates. 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.

A metering pump is a pump used to pump liquids at adjustable flow rates which are precise when
averaged over time. Delivery of fluids in precise adjustable flow rates is called metering. The term
"metering pump" is based on the application or use rather than the exact kind of pump used, although a
couple types of pumps are far more suitable than most other types of pumps.

Although metering pumps can pump water, they are often used to pump chemicals, solutions, or other
liquids. Many metering pumps are rated to be able to pump into a high discharge pressure. They are
typically made to meter at flow rates which are practically constant (when averaged over time) within a
wide range of discharge (outlet) pressure. Manufacturers provide each of their models of metering
pumps with a maximum discharge pressure rating against which each model is guaranteed to be able to
pump against.

Most metering pumps have a pump head and a motor. The liquid being pumped goes through the pump
head, entering through an inlet line and leaving through an outlet line. The motor is commonly an
electric motor which drives the pump head.
  Piston Pump

A Piston Pump is very similar in construction to a Reciprocating Internal Combustion Engine. The basic
pumping action is obtained by reciprocation of a piston in a cylinder. The cylinder has two valves, one
inlet and one outlet valve. And they allow for only inwards and outwards movement of the liquid
respectively. These valves are situated in inlet and outlet manifold respectively. The piston is connected
to a crankshaft through a connecting rod. The Piston Pump has a liner made of leather or any other
synthetic material to provide proper sealing between the moving surfaces of the piston and the cylinder.

 Diaphragm pump

A diaphragm pump is a positive displacement pump that uses a combination of the reciprocating action
of a rubber, thermoplastic or teflon diaphragm and suitable non-return check valves to pump a fluid.
Sometimes this type of pump is also called a membrane pump.

When the volume of a chamber of either type of pump is increased (the diaphragm moving up), the
pressure decreases, and fluid is drawn into the chamber. When the chamber pressure later increases
from decreased volume (the diaphragm moving down), the fluid previously drawn in is forced out.
Finally, the diaphragm moving up once again draws fluid into the chamber, completing the cycle. This
action is similar to that of the cylinder in an internal combustion engine.

The diaphragm pump has been developed for handling corrosive liquids and those containing
suspensions of abrasive solids. It is in two sections separated by a diaphragm. In one section a piston or
plunger operates in a cylinder in which a non-corrosive fluid is displaced. The movement of the fluid is
transmitted by means of flexible diaphragm to the liquid to be pumped. The only moving parts of the
pump that are in contact with the liquid are the valves, and these can be specially designed to handle
the material. In some cases the movement of the diaphragm is produced by direct mechanical action, or
the diaphragm may be air actuated.

Pump Comparison:

For pneumatic tools, a centrifugal pump is better suited due to the constant pressure it can provide. For
filling a pressurized container, the higher peak pressures of a reciprocating pump is preferred.
Simplex Pump

A Simplex Pump is a reciprocating pump. This pump has a single liquid cylinder which forces liquid out
through the top outlet on both the in and the out stroke (here up and down.)

This basic type of pump might be used for Air Pumps, Feed Pumps for the furnace, Fire, Bilge, and Fuel
Oil Service. All might rely on this fundamental pump.

The DUPLEX PUMP is similar to the Simplex pump, having two pistons instead of one, providing
smoother operation. From the outside a simplex pump can take many forms but the basic concept
follows this illustration.

DUPLEX PUMPS like the one shown below here have two steam and two water cylinders. Only one of
each is shown, the other cylinders being directly behind these.

Duplex pumps have no "dead spots" because one or the other steam piston is always under force of
steam (or compressed air). The two pistons are about 1/4 cycle out of synchronization with each other.

The steam enters the system through the top chamber on the left where the steam valve slides back and
forth over the various intake and exhaust pipes. The black hole just under the steam valve is the exhaust
vent for used steam. The back pump controls the steam valve for the pump shown which controls,
through the rocker arm in the middle, the steam valve for the piston in back.On the water end of the
pump, on the right here, the lower two valves are the intake valves and the upper valves are the
discharge valves. A hydraulic accumulator is usually located just above the pump to smooth the flow and
prevent water hammer.As many as five sets of steam and water cylinders are linked together in various
types of reciprocating steam pumps.