CLASSIFICATION OF PUMPS
Pumps are used to transfer and distribute liquids in various industries. Pumps convert mechanical energyinto
hydraulic energy. Electrical energy is generally used to operate the various types of pumps. Pumps have two main
purposes. Ø Transfer of liquid from one place to another place (e.g. water from an underground into a waterstorage
tank). Ø Circulate liquid around a system (e.g. cooling water or lubricants through machines andequipment).
Components of a Pumping System
Pump casing and impellers
· Prime movers: electric motors, diesel engines or air system
· Piping used to carry the fluid · Valves, used to control the flow in the system
· Other fittings, controls and instrumentation
· End-use equipment, which have different requirements (e.g. pressure, flow) and
thereforedetermine the pumping system components and configuration. Examples include
heatexchangers, tanks and hydraulic machines
Classification
There exist a wide variety of pumps that are designed for various specific applications. However, most ofthem can be
broadly classified into two categories as mentioned below.
i. positive displacement ii
ii. . dynamic pressure pumps
Positive Displacement Pumps
The term positive displacement pump is quite descriptive, because such pumps are designed to displace a more or
less fixed volume of fluid during each cycle of operation. The volumetric flow rate is determined by the displacement
per cycle of the moving member (either rotating or reciprocating) times the cycle rate (e.g. rpm). The flow capacity is
thus fixed by the design, size, and operating speed of the pump. The pressure (or head) that the pump develops
depends upon the flow resistance of the system in which the pump is installed and is limited only by the size of the
driving motor and the strength of the parts. Consequently, the discharge line from the pump should never be closed
off without allowing for recycle around the pump or damage to the pump could result. They can be further classified
as:
Types of Positive Displacement Pumps
1 Reciprocating pumps
Pumping takes place by to and fro motion of the piston or diaphragm in the cylinder. It is often used where relatively
small quantity of liquid is to be handled and where delivery pressure is quite large.
Piston pump: A piston pump is a type of positive displacement pump where the high-pressure seal reciprocates
with the piston. The pump has a piston cylinder arrangement. As the piston, goes away after the delivery stoke,
low pressure is created in the cylinder which opens the suction valve. On forward stoke, the fluid filled inside the
cylinder is compressed which intern opens the delivery valve for the delivery of liquid.
Gear pump ( Rotary pumps)
In rotary pumps, relative movement between rotating elements and the stationary element of the pump cause the
pumping action. The operation is different from reciprocating pumps, where valves and a piston are integral to the
pump. They also differ from centrifugal pumps, where high velocity is turned into pressure. Rotary pumps are
designed so that a continuous seal is maintained between inlet and outlet ports by the action and position of the
pumping elements and close running clearances of the pump. Therefore, rotary pumps do not require valve
arrangements similar to reciprocating pumps.
Gear pumps: uses the meshing of gears to pump fluid by displacement. They are one of the most common types of
pumps for hydraulic fluid power applications. The rigid design of the gears and houses allow for very high pressures
and the ability to pump highly viscous fluids.
Screw Pump: These pumps are rotary, positive displacement pumps that can have one or more screws to transfer
high or low viscosity fluids along an axis. Although progressive cavity pumps can be referred to as a single screw
pumps, typically screw pumps have two or more intermeshing screws rotating axially clockwise or counterclockwise.
Each screw thread is matched to carry a specific volume of fluid. Screw pumps provide a specific volume with each
cycle and can be dependable in metering applications.
Centrifugal pumps
They use a rotating impeller to increase the pressure of a fluid. Centrifugal pumps are commonly used to move
liquids through a piping system. The fluid enters the pump impeller along or near to the rotating axis and is
accelerated by the impeller, flowing radially outward into a diffuser or volute chamber (casing), from where it exits
into the downstream piping system. Centrifugal pumps are used for large discharge through smaller heads. These
types of pumps are used for supply of water and handling of milk in dairy plants.
Hand pump-
A similar is fitted on generator engines for priming lube oil system before starting the engine
