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Pumps
Pumps can be broadly classified into two basic categories: Centrifugal pumps and Positive Displacement pumps.
Centrifugal pumps have rotating equipment parts imparting momentum to the fluid particles which is later
converted to pressure. For centrifugal pumps the discharge flowrate and differential head developed in the pumps
are strongly dependant on each other. Whereas for positive displacement pumps, the discharge flowrate is nearly
independent of the downstream pressure.

Depending on the fluid service, the flowrate handled and differential pressure requirements, either of the pump
types can be used effectively.

Following figure gives an idea of the basic structure of a centrifugal pump.

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Basic structure of a centrifugal pump

Positive displacement pumps have different types as indicated in the following figures.

Reciprocating piston pump

External gear pump

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Internal gear pump

Double screw pump

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Peristaltic pump

Double diaphragm pump in discharge position

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Turbine pump with positive displacement characteristics

When it comes to selecting between centrifugal pumps and positive displacement pumps a number of factors
have to be taken into consideration.

1. Fluid service handled: Centrifugal pumps are preferred for a wide range of fluids from clean and clear
non-abrasive fluids to abrasive fluids with high solid content. But centrifugal pumps run into limitations when it
comes to handling highly viscous fluids and they have very low tolerance for handling entrained gases. Positive
displacement pumps (reciprocating and rotary type) are preferred for handling highly viscous fluids and fluids with
entrained gases. I general, it can be stated that positive displacement pumps are equipped to handle a wider
range of fluids.

2. Flowrates handled: Centrifugal pumps are preferred for handling of higher flowrates. But centrifugal pumps
have limitations on handling of lower flowrates. Positive displacement pumps are preferred when it comes to low
flowrates.

3. Differential pressure head: A single stage centrifugal pump cannot deliver very high discharge pressure
unless it is operated at very high speeds, which can turn out to be expensive. The operation of a positive
displacement pump is nearly independent of the discharge pressure encountered downstream. Positive
displacement can achieve very high differential pressures and hence they are preferred for such applications.

4. Efficiency: A Centrifugal pump can operate at the best efficiency for a narrow range of flowrate and differential

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head values. The positive displacement pumps are not limited in such ways.

5. Space constraints: Centrifugal pumps are compact and require less space compared to reciprocating pumps
handling similar flowrates. In case of positive displacement pumps, rotary type of pumps should be preferred to
reciprocating pumps as rotary pumps take up less space.

6. Pulsating flow: Centrifugal pumps deliver a smooth flow. Reciprocating pumps deliver a pulsating flow profile
thus requiring a pulsation dampener at the pump discharge. Rotary pumps are preferred to reciprocating pumps
as they can deliver a smooth flow as well.

7. Costs: Centrifugal pumps are most widely used and regarded as economical. They have low initial cost, low
maintenance cost but high power cost. Out of positive displacement pumps, reciprocating pumps are the most
expensive alternatives. Reciprocating pumps high initial and maintenance cost, but they consume lower power.
Rotary type of positive displacement pumps are always an attractive alternative even to the centrifugal pumps.
Rotary pumps have low initial, maintenance and power costs.

8. Summary: Centrifugal pumps have been found suitable for the widest range of application and are most widely
used. A variety of users prefer to use centrifugal pumps because of their familiarity with these pumps. The
comparison done here indicates that often times positive displacement pumps, especially the rotary type pumps
can prove to be an attractive alternative to centrifugal pumps. Use of positive displacement pumps should be
specially considered for cases with low flows, entrained gases, highly viscous fluid, high differential head.

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