Introduction to Centrifugal Pumps
The discovery of centrifugal pumps dates back to the late 17th century, with Denis Papin often credited with the development of the earliest designs. These early innovations laid the groundwork for modern centrifugal pump technology, which has since evolved into a fundamental component in various industrial applications.
Typical centrifugal pump. Image courtesy of Travaini Pumpe
Centrifugal pumps play a pivotal role in fluid handling, leveraging the principle of centrifugal force to transfer energy from a motor to the fluid being pumped. This process is crucial for a wide range of applications, including water supply and distribution, wastewater management, chemical processing, and the food and beverage industry. Their ability to handle diverse types of fluids, from clear water to corrosive chemicals and slurry, makes them indispensable across multiple sectors.
The operational range of centrifugal pumps is extensive, with the capacity to handle flow rates from a few litres per minute to several thousand cubic meters per hour.
They can operate efficiently under various pressure conditions, making them suitable for both low and high-pressure systems. Additionally, centrifugal pumps are known for their reliability, ease of maintenance, and ability to operate continuously.
Types of Liquid Flow through the Centrifugal Pump
The inlet of the pump leads the liquid to the centre of the rotating impeller from where it is flung towards the periphery. This construction gives a high efficiency and is suitable for handling pure liquids. Pumps, which have to handle the impure liquids, such as wastewater pumps, are fitted with an impeller that is constructed especially fo avoid that objects get stocked inside the pump.
It should be noted that when the pump is not operating, a pressure difference between the inlet and outlet causes liquid to pass through the pump. This is due to the open design of centrifugal pumps. In contrast, progressive cavity pumps act as a closed valve when not running.
The centrifugal pump can be categorised in different groups:
• Radial flow pumps
• Mixed flow pumps
• Axial flow pumps
The most common are the Radial Flow and Mixed Flow pumps.
The Axial flow pump 1251are usually progressive cavity pumps. For this last type of pumps, please refer to dedicated pages in this Wiki.
Usual performance area for each pump category
SPS Pumps is at your Disposal
SPS Pumps is the ideal partner for industry. We offer unrivalled technical support and in-depth knowledge of centrifugal pumps, as well as other types of pump.
Our expertise guarantees you reliable and efficient solutions tailored to your needs.
We also have a very wide range of spare parts in stock.
With SPS Pumps, you have a trusted partner committed to optimising your fluid handling systems.
Call us at +32 2 657 23 53 or send us an e-mail at info@sps-pumps.com.
The content of this webpage is inspired by the Grundfos Pump Handbook, including the accompanying charts.
