What is a Centrifugal Pump?

A centrifugal pump is a type of work-absorbing turbomachinery that relies on the transfer of rotational kinetic energy from one or more impeller rotors in order to transport fluids throughout a system. As this kinetic energy is converted to hydrodynamic energy from the fluid flow, the fluid’s velocity and pressure increase and direct the fluid towards the pump outlet. Centrifugal pumps account for about 90% of pumps used for industrial purposes and are intended for high-flow and low-viscosity liquids down to 0.1 cP. Pumps are used for a variety of applications including operations water supply and circulation, irrigation throughout a field, and the transfer of chemicals in petrochemical plants. 

How Does a Centrifugal Pump Work?

The impeller is a unique element of the centrifugal pump that distinguishes it from other pumps. The impeller consists of curved vanes housed between either a single “semi-open” disc, or two “enclosed” discs. When fluid enters the axis “eye” of the impeller, it follows along the rotating axis until it is cast out by accumulated force by the drive shaft attached to the motor through the vane tips of the impeller. During this process, rotational energy is captured and then converted to liquid pressure, which causes the fluid within the pump to rotate and redirect towards the pump outlet. Pumps are uniquely engineered to constrict the fluid as it rotates, and slow the rotational speed of the fluid before allowing it to exit.

Types of Centrifugal Pumps

There are several kinds of centrifugal pumps designed to move liquids, gases, and solids beyond simply the industrial centrifugal water pumps. These include:

• Canned Motor Pump & Magnetic Drive Pump: Hydrocarbons and chemicals that should not leak.  

• Chopper/Grinder Pump: Wastewater in industrial, chemical, and food processing/sewage impeller fitted with grinding teeth to chop solids 

• Circulator Pump: Heating, ventilation and air conditioning  

• Multistage Pump: High pressure applications

• Cryogenic Pump: Liquid natural gas and coolants 

• Trash Pump: Draining mines, pits, construction sites  Designed to pump water containing solid debris 

• Slurry Pump Mining: Mineral processing and industrial slurries

Learn about transfer pumps and high flow pumps.