Basic Introduction, Construction, and Functioning of a Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps are turbo machines used to transport fluids by converting kinetic energy imparted to the fluid to hydrodynamic energy. In simple words, the centrifugal pump uses rotation to provide velocity to the fluid. centrifugal pumps are used in food processing plants, sewage, water treatment plants, chemical and petroleum industries, and other manufacturing plants.

Basic Introduction, Construction, and Functioning of a Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps are turbo machines used to transport fluids by converting kinetic energy imparted to the fluid to hydrodynamic energy that flows the fluid. In simple words, the centrifugal pump uses rotation to provide velocity to the fluid and then converts that velocity into the flow. It is chiefly used to pump water in industrial and residential areas. These pumps use the kinetic energy of the motor to move liquids. Although the chief function is to move water and get the fluid flowing, centrifugal pumps are also used in food processing plants, sewage, water treatment plants, chemical and petroleum industries, and other manufacturing plants.

Basic Construction and Functioning of a Centrifugal Pump

The overall functioning of the pump is based on its rotating parts and stationary parts. The impeller and shaft are the rotating parts and the diffuser or volute along with bearings, casing, and casing cover are stationary parts.

The impeller and the shaft convert driver energy into motion energy or kinetic energy. The rotating impeller is the most significant, inbuilt rotating part that pumps liquids without any complications. It imparts centrifugal acceleration or what we call velocity to the fluids. There are various types of impeller such as closed, open, semi-open or vortex type, classified on the basis of its mechanical construction. Closed impeller requires a lot of maintenance, while open and semi-open impellers require manual adjustment during the time of functioning.

However, another rotating part shaft is very necessary for supporting impeller and other rotating parts by transmitting torque encountered during the operation.

The volute and diffuser along with other stationary parts are responsible for transforming the energy in motion to the pressure energy that gets the fluid flowing. The casing of the pumps is classified into two – volute casing and circular casing.  Volute casing looks like a snail shell and it balances hydraulic pressure created on the shaft of the pump while circular casings are used for other high capacity requirements.

All these varied components when put together in a unit cooperate to achieve the performance of a centrifugal pump. They are available in different materials like plastic, ceramic, and metal. There are no valves used in this machine. Very important machines like steam turbines, internal combustion engines, and speed electric motors also use centrifugal pumps at its core.