Types of Pumps and Applications

A Pump is a mechanical device which is used to move liquids or slurries from one point to another point by increasing the mechanical energy of the liquid or the slurry. Since energy is supplied to the pump in order for it to work, they are called energy absorbing devices. They add energy to the fluid and in the process, they pressurize the fluid.

The Pumps are classified into two classes; positive displacement pumps and dynamic pumps. In positive displacement pumps the fluid is directed into closed volume and the boundaries of the closed volume move in such a way that they expand or contract in order to receive and discharge the liquid. In dynamic pumps, there is no closed volume but there are rotating blades called impeller blades which input energy in the fluid

• Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive Displacement pumps are mostly divided into two classes; Rotary and Reciprocating positive displacement pumps.

• Dynamic Pumps

         Dynamic pumps are the types of pumps which increase the velocity of the liquid as the liquid is driven inside the pump but as pump reaches the outlet this increased kinetic energy converts to potential energy. In this case it means increased pressure. Types of dynamic pumps are centrifugal pump, axial flow pump and mixed flow pump.