An Overview of Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are widely used as industrial pumps and also in cooling, water control and chemical processing systems. They are preferred over other types of pumps since they are simple, reliable and efficient. Centrifugal pumps transfer energy to the fluid being pumped in the form of an increase in pressure and velocity.
The centrifugal pump typically has a rotating element, such as an impeller, that accelerates the fluid being pumped. As the fluid passes through the impeller it is forced from the outlet section at a higher pressure and speed. This increased pressure can be used to move the liquid to a higher point and then into a storage tank or other container systems.
A centrifugal pump is composed of several key components including the impeller, volute, casing, bearings and shaft. The impeller is the core of the centrifugal pump that accelerates the fluid and helps it move outward. The volute is essentially a chamber that captures the energy of the impeller and directs it outward. The casing is a cylindrical or annular shaped housing that contains the impeller and the volute. The bearings allow the rotation of the impeller, the most common being radial rolling, or plain journal bearings. The drive shaft transmits the power from the motor to the impeller.
Centrifugal pumps are classified according to the design or arrangement of impeller blades, the number of stages, and the type of flow. Single-stage centrifugal pumps feature a single impeller and are ideal for low head and high flow applications. Multi-stage centrifugal pumps feature multiple impellers and are designed for high head and low flow applications. Axial flow pumps, also known as mixed flow pumps, have an impeller with blades that angle outwards and direct the flow in an axial motion. The mixed flow pumps are used for moderate head and moderated flow applications.
Centrifugal pumps are incredibly reliable but can be difficult to solve when something goes wrong. Although their basic parts remain nearly identical, various pumps can be configured differently depending on their intended usage. Therefore, it can be difficult to diagnose and troubleshoot the pumps. There are many potential causes of centrifugal pump failure, from mechanical issues to improper operation and understanding the cause can help prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.
Centrifugal pumps have many uses and are employed in virtually every industrial sector. This inexpensive and reliable pumping method is used to move chemicals, oil, fuel, and water for a variety of applications. Because of their capabilities, these pumps have revolutionized many industries and have become a reliable, low-cost option for a variety of pumping needs.
