What is a Centrifugal Pump and How Does it Work?

People commonly use centrifugal pumps for “pumping water, solvents, organics, oils, acids, bases and any ‘thin’ liquids in both industrial, agricultural and domestic applications,” explains an article from Michael Smith Engineers Ltd., a leading pump specialist in the UK. If your company uses a centrifugal pump or needs one, Engineering Energy Equipment finds customized solutions for your energy applications.

What is a Centrifugal Pump and How Does it Work

A centrifugal pump is a hydraulic machine that uses rotating impellers to force liquid to move, converting it into a flow. In Florida, businesses and individuals often use centrifugal pumps for irrigation and drainage systems. The IQS Directory defines impellers as “an arrangement of backward curved vanes… mounted to an electric motor’s shaft.”

List and Explain the Features and Parts of a Centrifugal Pump

The page on the IQS Directory mentioned above lists four parts in addition to the centrifugal pump impellers.

The centrifugal pump Shaft, along with the impeller, rotates the machine.

A Casing is an airtight passage that surrounds the impeller. The kinetic energy of the liquid inside the casing changes to pressure power before it leaves the system and goes into the delivery pipe. There are three types of centrifugal pump casings. The impeller surrounds the casing, increasing the flow area in Volute or Spinal Casing systems. Sometimes there is a circular chamber between the volute casing and impeller in Vortex Casings. Since the liquid has to pass through two casings in this kind of centrifugal pump casing, the system is more efficient. Thirdly, Casings with Guide Blades surrounding the impeller also form a wider passage area, creating more pressure.

The centrifugal pump Suction Pipe connects to the pump’s inlet and a foot valve that opens upwards to form a one-way type. The other end of the suction pipe is dipped into the water and fitted with a strainer to prevent unknown or unwanted bodies from entering.

Finally, the Delivery Valve is at the end of a centrifugal pump. The IQS Directory also explains, “One end is connected to the pump’s outlet and the other end delivers the water at a required height.”

The Michael Smith Engineers Ltd. article also explains that the main features of centrifugal pumps are “specified for higher flows and for pumping lower viscosity liquids” than Positive Displacement Pumps. The article entitled Positive Displacement Pumps, on the same company’s website, explains this type of pump in more detail.

Types of Centrifugal Pumps and their Applications

If you need us to supply your business with a centrifugal pump but are unsure which type best applies to the industry you are in, please visit http://bit.ly/3ZBkulK, an informative page by DXP Enterprises, an industrial distribution expert. Once Engineering Energy Equipment supplies your company with cost-effective machines, we would love to take the complex process of maintaining your centrifugal pump and replacing parts off your shoulders!