What Is a Centrifugal Pump?
A centrifugal pump moves fluid using rotational energy from a motor. It’s one of the most common types of pumps used in industrial, commercial, and residential applications due to its simplicity and efficiency.
How Do Centrifugal Pumps Work?
How It Works — Fast Overview
The pump uses an impeller (a rotating disk with blades) to spin fluid rapidly. This spinning motion pushes the fluid outward from the center of the impeller to the edges, increasing its velocity. The pump casing then converts this velocity into pressure, forcing the fluid out through the discharge pipe.
Step-by-Step Breakdown
- Fluid enters the pump inlet (called the suction side).
- The impeller rotates, driven by a motor.
- Centrifugal force pushes the fluid outward through the impeller vanes.
- Velocity increases, and the fluid moves to the outer casing.
- The volute (spiral casing) slows the fluid, converting velocity into pressure.
- Fluid exits the pump at a higher pressure.
Key Components
- Impeller: The rotating part that imparts velocity.
- Casing: Encloses the impeller and directs flow.
- Suction Pipe: Brings fluid into the pump.
- Discharge Pipe: Sends pressurized fluid out.
- Motor: Powers the impeller.
Why Use Centrifugal Pumps?
- Efficient for continuous flow of low-viscosity fluids.
- Simple design with fewer moving parts.
- Low maintenance compared to positive displacement pumps.
- Scalable for small or large systems.
Common Applications
- Water supply systems
- HVAC systems
- Chemical processing
- Food and beverage production
- Irrigation
Limitations
Centrifugal pumps don’t handle high-viscosity fluids well. They also require priming before operation unless they’re self-priming models.
FAQs
Not typically. They’re designed for clean fluids. For slurry or solids, use a trash pump or slurry pump.