What are pumps?
In general, regardless of the type of pump, it is defined as a mechanical device or equipment that is used to:
- transfer or move liquid from one point to the other by imparting kinetic and potential energy to the liquid.
- built up pressure or pressurization purpose.
Pumps can be further classified into two main categories, according to their basic operating principle as detailed below:
- By means of dynamic (or kinetic) – in which energy is continuously added to increase the fluid velocities within the pump. Fluid pressure is increased when the fluid velocity is subsequently decreased.
- By means of positive displacement – in which energy is periodically added to the fluid by direct application of force to one or more moveable boundaries of any fluid-containing volumes, resulting an increase in pressure up to the value required to move the fluid through ports or valves in the discharge point.
Figure 1 shows the Types of Pumps we discussed above.
Figure 1. Types of Pumps
Dynamic pumps can be further sub-classified into several varieties of centrifugal, regenerative and other special-effect pumps.
Displacement pumps are essentially classified into rotary and reciprocating types. Each of these classifications can then be further subdivided into several types of variations depending on the nature of service it is designed for.
Figure 1 above also presents an outline summary of the significant classifications and sub-classifications within these categories.