Comparison between Centrifugal Pump and Reciprocating pump technology
Parameter
Types / Variants
Operating principle and
construction
History
Flow Versus Head characteristic
and performance envelope
Construction and design
Nature of flow
Priming
NPSH available formula
Internal clearance
Effect of high Viscosity
Long term Performance
Product handling
Efficiency
Sealing at relative motion
Hermetical sealing option
MTBR and reliability
Control philosophy
Operational speed
Equipment protection
Plant and process Risk
Equipment cost
Weight, size, Installation cost
Relevant. API Standards
Image source: Website of various Reputed OEMs
Centrifugal pump
As per the API 610, there are total 18 types of pumps in three categories; Overhung, Between
bearing and Vertical Suspended. Additionally, magnetic drive pump technology is also available.
Rotating impeller imparts kinetic energy to fluid. Static casing (volute / diffuser) collects it, slow it down, and
convert it into pressure (Head). more impellers or high-speed options available to develop very high pressure.
The first machine that could be characterized as a centrifugal pump was a mud lifting machine which
appeared as early as 1475 in a treatise by the Italian Renaissance engineer Francesco di Giorgio Martini.
1687: French-born inventor Denis Papin develops the first true centrifugal pump, one with straight vanes used
for local drainage.
It develops variable flow,
Flow varies with
downstream resistance.
Nature of the Q-H curve
could be continuous
rising, steep, drooping,
or flat.
Simple, less moving parts. Key moving parts: Impeller, Shaft, Mechanical Seal, Ball bearings
Steady and continuous because of impeller spins at constant rotational speed across 360 degree in casing.
Priming is necessary as it cannot pull the fluid.
Pr. head ± Static head / Lift – Vapor pr. head – Friction head
Very tight to Generous internal clearance between moving and stationary parts depending on the design
Big -Ve impact on hydraulics output and efficiency. Not suitable for very high viscosity.
No or very little performance degradation even after a long service life
Handle wide range of fluid clean to slurry, depending on Pump and mechanical seal design
Efficiency are low due to excessive friction losses, Normally it is in the range of 30% to 70%
Mechanical Seal technology is widely used, Complex design and expensive. Reliability is very high.
Sealless pump design option is available.
Normal operating vibrations are very low. Very high MTBR in few years, Highly reliable
Flow control is easy with control valve. VFD is an alternative option.
It is high speed machine. OH6, integrally geared high-speed pump can go as high as 24,000 rpm.
Pump must run within allowable operating range. Bypass line with proper valve is required to protect the
pump against minimum flow operation.
No risk to plant. Pump stops delivering the flow while it exceeds certain system resistance.
Equipment cost is high due to use of precision engineered components considering the high-speed nature,
Smaller size and low weight. Smaller footprint and less heavy foundation. Installation cost is low.
API 610, API 685, API 682
Reciprocation pump
There are mainly three 3 types of pumps available in this range: Piston, Plunger, and diaphragm pump. It
can be further classified into Single acting and double acting Single, duplex, triplex, or multiplex cylinder
Crankshaft-connecting rod mechanism converts the rotary movement to a reciprocating linear
movement of plunger or piston. Back and forth motion of Piston / plunger draw in and draw out fixed
volume of liquid.
In 200 BC Greek inventor and mathematician Ctesibius invents the water organ, an air pump with valves
on the bottom, a tank of water in between them and a row of pipes on top. This is the principal design
that is now known as the reciprocating pump.
It delivers fix volume of
the fluid filled in the
cylinder irrespective of
the delivery head.
Complex. More moving parts. Key Moving Parts: Piston / Plunger, Piston rod, Suction and delivery valve,
Crank, Connecting rod, Packings
Intermittent and pulsating because linear velocity of plunger / piston changes at different point in
cylinder. Pulsation dampeners are often necessary
It can evacuate the air in suction and pulls the liquid so inherently these are self-priming pumps.
Pr. head ± Static head /Lift – Vapor pr. head – Friction head – Acceleration head
Close clearance, continuous friction between piston and cylinder as well as at valve area
Capable of handling relatively high viscosity fluid. Considerably better performance at high viscosity
Performance degrades over a period due to excessive wear and tear.
Can handle solid but not good choice
Highly efficient pumps. Normally it is in the range of 65% to 90%
Design of Sealing between piston and cylinder is simple and cheaper. Reliability is low.
Diaphragm pump option is available
Operating vibrations are normally high. Less reliable, Low MTBR several months.
It delivers constant flow; Flow control is possible by changing stroke length or speed
Very low speed machine
No such requirement. However, pressure relief valve is required for pump and plant safety against the
overpressure.
Irrespective of downstream resistance it keeps on building pressure, may lead to failure of downstream
piping, valve or instruments
Equipment cost is moderate
Bigger footprint and heavier foundation are required. Installation cost is high.
API 674
Kirit Domadiya