Parts of a Pump | Components and

Workings of a Pump

Pump and its parts

A wide range of processes and applications require the use of pumps for
their operations in various industries. They can also be used in
commercial and domestic applications. A great variety of high-pressure
pumps are available in different sizes, designs, and features. Pumps play
a significant role in the production process and are indispensable for
smooth operations. Therefore, buying a suitable high -efficiency pump
requires a thorough understanding of its parts as well, so that one can
buy the pump best suited to their needs.

Pump parts have been briefly described below:

 Casing: A casing can be explained as a shell, cover or a housing which
protects and supports most of the components. In pumps, the casing is
basically used to seal it to prevent leakage and sometimes retain
pressure. It is also used to support some of the key parts such as shafts,
bearings, etc.
 Impellers: An impeller is a rotating component in a centrifugal pump
which is equipped with vanes or blades that rotate and moves the fluid
in a pump. These vanes or blades are coupled to a shaft. When the
impeller rotates, it converts the energy derived from a source i.e. motor
to induce flow of the fluid. Impellers form an integral part of a pump
since it creates velocity to the fluid through its blades/vanes. Impeller
designs are considered as a major factor in deciding the efficiency of a
 pump. There are two types of impeller: Axial flow impeller and Radial
flow impeller. In axial impeller, fluid moves axially to the shaft. In
radial flow impeller, fluid moves perpendicularly to the shaft. Axial
impellers are generally used for high flow and very low-pressure
applications, whereas radial impellers are often used in multi-stage
split case centrifugal pumps. Impellers are also categorized into open
and closed impellers. An open impeller has only one shroud and the
vanes are exposed on the other side. A closed impeller, often called a
double shrouded impeller, has a shroud on both sides of the vanes. Open
impellers are generally only used for single stage, end suction
centrifugal pumps, whereas double shrouded impellers are used on side
or top ported multistage centrifugal pumps. Impellers can also be
classified on the basis of their suction type: In a single-suction impeller,
liquid enters the centre of the blades from only one direction. Whereas,
in a double-suction impeller liquid enters the center of the impeller
blades from both sides simultaneously. Closed impellers are available in
single suction or double suction impeller designs. Impellers in in dustrial
grade centrifugal pumps are generally made of steel or stainless steel.
Some lower grade pumps will have brass/bronze material or some sort
of plastic. The material of the impeller should be considered carefully
when purchasing a pump since impellers are exposed to a variety of
corrosion, erosion, cavitation and general wear.
 Mechanical Seals: Mechanical seals are used on the shafts of
centrifugal pumps and screw pumps, where the input shafts have to exit
the pressure chamber. It consists of two extremely smooth surfaces that
are generally held together with springs or the pump age pressure. They
can be relatively simple devices, but are generally highly engineered to
fit a specific application, and can get notably complex. Elaborate seal
support systems are often needed to cool, clean, and separate the fluid
in and around the seal. Mechanical seals and seal plans can be
categorized into 4 main categories: Single Seals, Double Seals, Quench
Seals and Gas Seals. Each category has distinct advantages and
disadvantages and their design and features must be considered carefully
in every pumping system. Mechanical seals are inherently troublesome
because of their function of sealing a pressurized fluid around a rotating
shaft. In ideal conditions, such as clean water or clean oil, mechanical
seals can be made very reliable. In harsh environments like unclean
fluid, extreme temperatures, high pressures, etc. elaborate seal systems
need to be put in place and long seal life cannot be expected.
 Bearings: A bearing is a component that helps reduce friction on
moving parts in a pump. It supports the shaft to rotate smoot hly. They
are commonly used in pumps of all types, such as
centrifugal, reciprocating, or rotary pumps.
 Roller bearings are bearings that use cylindrical shape rollers between
the moving parts. They reduce the friction and can support radial load
and axial load, depending on design. Roller bearings are of different
types such as cylindrical, tapered, and needle bearing. All these differ
in their shape, design, and sizes.
Ball bearings are a type of bearing that uses balls to support the
movement of the parts. They are simple in design and are suitable for
high speeds and easy to maintain. Ball bearings are good for radial lo ad
and axial load.
Babbit bearings are a type of sleeve bearings coated with Babbit metal,
i.e. tin or lead-based alloys, and commonly used in motors, pumps,
turbine generators and fans. They are available in different design and
features. The shaft speed, bearing load, shaft stability, bearing cooling
and overall machine load and speed are few factors that determine which
Babbit bearing should be chosen.
Sleeve Bearings are best suited for high speeds. They are ideal for radial
loads only, and are generally designed to “float”. They can be built of
metallic alloys, sintered metals, and plastics.
Pivot shoe Bearings sometimes known as Tilt Shoe Bearings or
Kingsbury Bearings, are ideal for an axial load. They are often installed
in high powered centrifugal pumps as the thrust bearing. Pivot Shoe
Beatings must always have pressurized lubrication in order to prevent
damage. Selecting a proper bearing is very crucial for the reliability of
the rotating equipment. One must consider all factors such as the
process, fluid/liquid used, speed, material of the bearing etc. to choose
the best one.
Connecting Rod: The Connecting rod is a part of a reciprocating pump
and is a rod which connects the crosshead to the crankshaft. It supports
the circular or rotational movement of the crankshaft. It is mounted to a
crank journal with a shell bearing on one end and the crosshead wrist
pin on the other end.
 Connecting rod bearings: Connecting rod bearings, often called Shell
Bearings, helps to support or hold the crankshaft while forces and
motions of high velocity take place in the working/process through the
connecting rod.
 Pistons: A piston is a component used in a reciprocating pump which is
tightly fitted in a cylinder and moves linearly back and forth to compress
and move the fluid/liquid. It is available with many manufacturers such
as Gaso, Gardner Denver, Wheatley, Oilwell, and National. A piston
liner is the cylinder in which the piston moves.
 Plungers: A plunger in a reciprocating pump has the same function as
that of a piston and only differs in its shape and size. It also moves in a
closed fitted cylinder called a stuffing box. Plungers are used in positive
 displacement pumps. Plungers are available in a variety of materials and
sizes. A few of them are Rokide plungers, which uses little lubrication
and is also known as Chrome Oxide. Rokide is used as a hardene d
coating to the base material. Ceramic plungers are also popular, made of
ceramic, they are resistant to abrasive substances if used in pumps.
Another type of plunger commonly used is Tungsten coated, in which a
tungsten coating is done to reduce the wear and tear of the plunger. They
are corrosion resistant. A few types of Hard-Co plungers are also
available where the coating is of nickel chrome alloy mainly used for
non-porous applications. Most common manufacturers of these kinds of
plungers are National, Gaso, Gardner Denver, Oilwell, and Union.
 Wrist pins: A wrist pin is a part in a reciprocating pump that connects
the connecting rod and the crosshead. As the crosshead moves, the wrist
pin oscillates in a sleeve, called the wrist pin bushing, and acts as a
bearing. The lubricated joint helps the crosshead move smoothly.
 Pump Valves: Valves in a pump perform a crucial function of
regulating, controlling and directing the flow of fluids in a reciprocating
pump. There are many types of valves available such as Disc Valve,
where the valve is opened and closed by a disc and provides excell ent
performance for lubricated, high-speed service. AR valves known as
Abrasion Resistant are suitable for applications that can cause heavy
wear and tear due to the nature of fluid or high pressure/temperature.
They come in stainless steel and other alloys. Other types of valves
include Wing Guided valves, Spherical valves and Cage valves. These
are used in Reciprocating or Diaphragm Pumps. Most common
manufacturers of these valves are National, Gardner Denver, Armstrong,
Standard and Aplex.
 Relief Valves: Also known as PRV (Pressure relief valve) or PSV
(Pressure Safety Valves) is a type of valve used to regulate or control
the pressure in a system. These are designed to open when the pressure
exceeds its predetermined limits. It is commonly used in petroleum
refining, petrochemical and chemical manufacturing, natural gas
processing, oil and water pipelines, power generation industries and
more and form an integral part of the process because of its crucia l
functioning from safety and controls point of view. They are available
in different types such as Shear Pin Relief Valves, which uses one or
two shear pins to set relief the pressure, and Spring Relief Valves, where
a spring is used to push against the pressure. They come in different
sizes and pressure rating. PORV (Pilot Operated Relief valves) basically
uses system pressure to seal the valve. A good PORV can work with
pressures up to 420 bar (6000 psi) and very high flows in a reliable and
compact design. Spring relief valves are used in applications where very
high reliability and safety pressure is required such as in nuclear safety
 related applications. These valves open to relieve excess pressure and
then re-close and prevent further flow. Ultimatel y, the main purpose of
all these valves is to mitigate accidents and accidental damages. Taylor,
Odrill, Leser, Crosby, Emerson are few of the key manufacturers of
relief valves.
 Pressure Gauges: A pressure gauge is an instrument to measure and
display pressure level. It monitors a pump’s discharge or inlet pressure.
They should be used for all high pressure applications. Different models
are available in the market in brass or stainless steel material. In most
applications, pressure transmitters should be paired with a gauge and
wired to a central PLC to assist with safety and control of a system.
 Couplers: A coupler is a device which connects or links two pieces of
rotating equipment, such as a pump or and a motor or gearbox. The
primary function of the coupler is to transmit power from the drive
equipment to the driven equipment. Most couplers, particularly on high
powered systems, are also made to allow for slight angular and parallel
misalignment and movement as the equipment operates. Flexible
couplings can come in many different styles and sizes. Some require
lubricant, such as grease, and others are designed to run dry. All feature
some sort of flexible metal disc, rubber insert, spring or a set of gears
that provide the movement required.
 Oil Seals: An oil seal, usually made of oil and grease resistant rubber,
is a device used for preventing leakage or entry of oil from a chamber,
usually fit around a rotating or reciprocating shaft. This seal may also
be used to prevent outside materials such as dir t from moving in through
the clearance. They have great use in engines, pumps, blowers, motors
and gearboxes. Oil seals are available in many different types, materials
and sizes. Lip seals and Wiper seals are all types of oil seals that are
commonly used in the industry.
 O ring seal: O'Rings close a gap between two surfaces so that liquids
or gases cannot pass through in any direction. An O ring seal, changes
its shapes when pressure is applied in the system, so it squeezes against
the surrounding surfaces, sealing them off. It is a very simple design
and, although it is has its limitations, is used in a wide variety of
applications. O-rings can be used in low pressure and high pressure
applications, on flat, stationary surfaces as well as round shafts.
There are various other parts of both Positive Displacement Pumps and
Centrifugal Pumps such as wrist pin bushings, Cross Heads, Stuffing
Boxes, Shim Packs, Screws, Screw Liners and Wear Rings etc. Each p art
or component in a pump plays a very crucial role in its efficient
functioning. Conversely, the cost and inconvenience of a poorly selected
part can be catastrophic.