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Introduction
Centrifugal pumps will be found in the major industrial applications. Centrifugal pumps are the most popular and commonly used pumps to move fluids and solid liquids in industrial plants. Ranging from domestic to industrial uses, centrifugal pumps have an extensive range of applications.
Let’s dive in to learn about Centrifugal pumps, their working principles, applications, types, and everything about them.
What is a Centrifugal Pump?
Centrifugal pump is a type of pump that is used to move any kind of fluids, liquid, slurry, water, or sewage with the help of an impeller fit in it. Centrifugal pumps use kinetic energy to transfer fluids from one place to another. Whether it’s pumping water from a well or moving chemicals in a factory, centrifugal pumps are ideal for every industry.
How do Centrifugal Pumps work?
Centrifugal pumps work by converting rotational energy from a motor into kinetic energy to transfer fluids from one to another place. In the entire process of moving fluids further, the pump utilizes the impeller which is one crucial component of a centrifugal pump, which consists of curved vanes. When the fluid enters an impeller, its rotational motion forwards the fluid further creating high pressure and increasing the velocity of the liquid. Afterward, fluid leaves the impeller vanes and conducts itself to the diffuser casing or pump volute, from which a fluid is pressurized to move to the discharge port or the next stage of the multi-stage centrifugal pump.
Working Principle of Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps follow the “Force Vortex Flow” principle - as its basic working principle. This working principle of centrifugal pumps refers to the rise in the pressure head of liquid when a certain amount of liquid rotates with external force. This pressure head leads liquid to be lifted at a high level.
An example of this type of flow can be explained as when water flows out of a bathtub or sink, flows in the centrifugal pump casing, or flows around the circular bend in the pipe.
Types of Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are divided into three types of centrifugal pumps according to their flow systems:
Radial flow pumps
Radial flow pumps are the type of centrifugal pumps in which the fluid leaves the impeller in the radial direction. The radial flow in the impeller stimulates the higher centrifugal force that translates into higher discharge pressure but usually smaller volume flow rates. That is why radial flow pumps are used for pumping a low or medium flow rate and higher delivery head.
Radial flow pumps are used in:
- Lifting irrigation and drainage in agricultural lands
- Water cooling for thermals
- Nuclear power plants
- To handle seawater
- To supply fresh water
- Mining industry for dewatering
Radial flow pumps are found in vertical or horizontal configurations. This pump may have a single or double suction impeller in it.
Mixed flow pumps
The impeller of mixed flow pumps has a mixed flow and its specific speed for low-speed mixed pumps lies between 35 to 80 rpm and for high-speed mixed pumps its speed lies between 80 to 160 rpm. The transition range of mixed flow pumps is average grounding between the radial and axial flow pumps. This type of centrifugal pump is typically found to be used in the same applications as radial flow pumps.
Mixed flow pumps can be in horizontal or vertical configurations with single-stage or double-stage impellers. Both designs of dry-pit and wet-pit with suction elbow and bell are possible for mixed flow pumps.
Axial flow pumps
Axial flow pumps are known as the family of flow pumps. This type of centrifugal pump is fitted with an axial flow impeller which transports the fluid by making use of the pressure differences at the impeller vanes. These pumps are used to pump a high flow rate at the smaller delivery head.
Axial flow pumps are used in:
- Power plants
- Filling or emptying of dry docks
- Flood control
- Sewage digesters
Axial flow pumps are mostly supplied in either vertical or inclined configuration with a diffuser, even though horizontal design is also available.
Classification of Centrifugal Pumps based on the stages
Centrifugal pumps are also classified based on the number of the impeller set in them.
Single-stage centrifugal pumps
This type of centrifugal pump consists of only one impeller within its casing which makes the pump maintenance easy. These pumps are best suited for low-pressure operations.
Double-stage centrifugal pumps
Two-stage or double-stage pumps are the type of centrifugal pumps that have two impellers within their casings which function together to pump the associated process liquids. These pumps are best used for medium-head applications.
Multi-stage centrifugal pumps
Multi-stage centrifugal pumps require three or more impellers to achieve maximum efficiency. These pumps are demanded in high-head applications.
Uses of Centrifugal Pumps
The use of centrifugal pumps is extensive in diverse industrial applications. Such as;
- Water plants and water supply in residential areas
- sewage/slurry disposal
- Food and beverage manufacturing
- Mining industry
- Chemical industry
- Oil and gas industry
- Fire protection systems
- Paper mills
- Agricultural irrigation and drainage
Pump Up Your Needs!
Regardless of the size of your business in any industry, centrifugal pumps will help you achieve the desired results for your applications. Having an efficient centrifugal pump within your plant applications could make you free for other operations of your business. Hunt no more for it - Jay Khodiyar Pumps is a reputed centrifugal pump manufacturer of the best-quality centrifugal pumps with years of experience that meets all the needs of our customers. Match the standard level of performance with our sufficient centrifugal pumps!
