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Centrifugal pump
Centrifugal pumps work by rotating the impeller to cause the water to move centrifugally. Before starting the pump, the pump casing and the suction pipe must be filled with water, and then the motor is started to drive the impeller and the water to rotate at a high speed. The water undergoes centrifugal motion and is thrown to the outer edge of the impeller, and flows through the volute pump casing. The pressurized water line of the water pump
Working Principle of Centrifugal Pumps
The following steps are taken to complete an energy conversion by a centrifugal pump:
Fluid enters the pump suction.It enters the rotating impeller eye. Impeller gets its energy from a motor, engine, or turbine.
The impeller pushes fluid outward by centrifugal force. During this process, the fluid reaches velocity and pressure.Fluid enters inside the volute (sometimes with a diffuser), reducing its velocity and increasing the pressure. It also delivers fluid into the discharge nozzle.
Types of Centrifugal Pump
Classification of Centrifugal Pumps Based on Number of Suctions
Most centrifugal pumps are single-suction designed; however, sometimes it is necessary to have double-suction designs.
Single Suction
In a single-suction centrifugal pump, the fluid flows into the inlet, and the entire liquid immediately flows into the impeller eye (the inlet of the impeller). The centrifugal force then produces pressure as the water leaves the impeller.
Double Suction
Single-suction will not suffice when the flow rate is too high. In this case, double suction centrifugal pumps are used. The impeller of this pump is engineered so that fluid enters from both sides in comparison with the single side in a normal case.However, the name “double suction” must not confuse you. Even in the double suction design, there is only a single suction and discharge flange. The difference is in the design of the impeller and casing.The centrifugal pumps can be classified based on many factors such as construction, design, application, service, and industrial standards. Therefore, one centrifugal pump can be placed into different groups at the same time. Another common way of classification is based on the number of impellers applied within the pump.
According to the principle can be divided into
Radial Pumps
Single-suction will not suffice when the flow rate is too high. In this case, double suction centrifugal pumps are used. The impeller of this pump is engineered so that fluid enters from both sides in comparison with the single side in a normal case.
However, the name “double suction” must not confuse you. Even in the double suction design, there is only a single suction and discharge flange. The difference is in the design of the impeller and casing.The centrifugal pumps can be classified based on many factors such as construction, design, application, service, and industrial standards. Therefore, one centrifugal pump can be placed into different groups at the same time. Another common way of classification is based on the number of impellers applied within the pump.
Mixed Pumps
As the name implies, in a mixed flow pump, the fluid flows mixing both radial and axial properties. So, that is a tradeoff between axial and radial pumps. Mixed pumps operate at high flow rates with a decent increase in the head.
Axial Pumps
In an axial flow pump, the fluid moves parallel to the shaft. This procedure resembles the working of a propellant. The most significant application of this pump is when there is a large flow rate and very little pressure head. For example, they are common in dewatering pumps and water circulation pumps.
Application field
Centrifugal pumps are considered for many of the fluid transfer activities. Therefore, these pumps hold more preference in various industries. The most common applications of centrifugal pumps include pumping water, water supply, supporting fire safety systems, and regulating hot water. Some of the areas where centrifugal pumps are utilized are as follows:
Energy and oil industries for pumping oil, mud, slurry, and refining purposes and power plants.Wastewater treatment systems, irrigation, municipal plants, flood protection procedures, and gas systems.The chemical and petrochemical, food, and medicinal industries such as hydrocarbons, cellulose, sugar distilling, and beverage production.
Aerospace and industrial applications in refrigerants and cryogenics.Industrial and fire protection systems for ventilation and heating, air conditioning, boiler feed water, pressure boosting, and fire security sprinkler systems.
Performance specifications for centrifugal pumps
Centrifugal pump selection is defined by a few key specifications, including flow rate, head, power, and efficiency.Flow rate describes the rate at which the pump can move fluid through the system, typically expressed in gallons per minute (gpm). The rated capacity of a pump must be matched to the flow rate required by the application or system.
Pressure is a measure of the force per unit area of resistance the pump can handle or overcome, expressed in bar or psi (pounds per square inch). As in all centrifugal pumps, the pressure in axial flow pumps varies based on the pumped fluid's specific gravity. For this reason, head is more commonly used to define pump energy in this way.Head is the height above the suction inlet that a pump can lift a fluid. It is a shortcut measurement of system resistance (pressure) which is independent of the fluid's specific gravity, expressed as a column height of water given in feet (ft) or meters (m).
Net positive suction head (NPSH) is the difference between the pump's inlet stagnation pressure head and the vapor pressure head. The required NPSH is an important parameter in preventing pump cavitation.
Output power, also called water horsepower, is the power actually delivered to the fluid by the pump, measured in horsepower (hp).
Input power, also called brake horsepower, is the power that must be supplied to the pump, measured in horsepower (hp).
Efficiency is the ratio between the input power and output power. It accounts for energy losses in the pump (friction and slip) to describes how much of the input power does useful work.
