Types of Pumps

What is a Pump?
A pump is a device used to transfer different types of liquids or gases from one place to another
by applying mechanical action. These devices typically convert electrical energy into hydraulic
energy.

Generally, pumps are operated by mechanism (reciprocating or rotary) and take energy to do
mechanical work that moves the working fluid. This equipment is capable of lifting liquids from
low to high levels, moving fluids from low to high-pressure areas.

Pumps are powered by means of several power sources, requiring a manual operation, electricity,
engine, wind power, and more. Typically, pumps work by a vacuum in which air pressure forces
the liquid out. All pumps work by creating an area of low pressure.

Pumps have been used for so long, so it's no wonder that there are a wide variety of sizes and
types available. So let's discuss them one by one which are described below.

Types of Pumps
Following are the main types of pumps:

1. Dynamic pump
1. Centrifugal pump
1. Axial flow
2. Mixed flow
3. Peripherial
2. Special effect pump
1. Jet pump
2. Electromagnetic pump
2. Positive displacement
1. Reciprocating pump
1. Piston pump
2. Plunger pump
3. Diaphragm pump
2. Rotary pump
1. Screw pump
2. Progressive cavity pump
3. Gear pump

#1 Dynamic Pump

A dynamic pump uses centrifugal force to create velocity in the liquid. This velocity is further
converted into pressure energy by decreasing the kinetic energy. This difference in pressure
moves the fluid through the system.

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It consists of a rotating impeller that creates a vacuum that moves the fluid. The impeller is held
in the housing as it reduces the pressure at the inlet. This created motion drives the fluid outside
the housing of the pump. At this stage, the pressure builds up to send it out for discharge. These
are classified into two types.

#1 Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps are employed to move the fluid through the transfer of rotational energy from
the rotor, this device is known as impeller. The fluid enters the rotating impeller and is ejected by
centrifugal force through the vane tip of the impeller.

This action of the impeller causes the fluid velocity and pressure to increase and also directs it
towards the outlet. The pump casing is specially designed to compress fluid from the pump inlet,
direct it into the impeller and control the fluid before discharging.

Pumps of this type are used for the water supply, fire protection systems, and beverage
industries. These are also classified into three types, which are explained below.

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#1 Axial Flow

The Axial flow type of pump are basically consists of an axial impeller in a pipe.The propeller
can be pushed directly into the pipe with help of an arranged electric motor or by a petrol/diesel
engine that is mounted on the outside the pipe.

Axial flow pumps have an electronic rotor that handles the liquid along a path parallel to the axis
of the pump. Thus, the fluid travels in a fairly straight path from the inlet pipe to the outlet pipe
through the pump. These are used as compressors in turbo-jet engines.

#2 Mixed Flow

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Mixed flow pumps are a combined version of both radial flow pumps and axial flow pumps. This
pump is built with an impeller that sits and twists within the pipe, but the turning mechanism is
essentially diagonal.

It uses centrifugal force to move the water along, accelerating it further with a push from the
axial direction of the impeller. This action generates enough force to produce a high rate of flow.
Pumps of this type are used for those requiring a high level of flow combined with a relatively
low discharge pressure.

#3 Peripheral Pump

It is a closely-coupled centrifugal pump consisting of an impeller with a large number of radial

vanes at the outer edges. These pumps require clean fluid because of the narrow clearance
between the impeller vane and the pump casing, meaning any solids will clog the impeller.

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The centrifugal force inside the rotor generates a flow between the impeller and the casing
channel. The speed of the fluid and the impeller are basically the same. Therefore, the fluid flows
from the covered channel to the impeller in a rotational path, and this cycle is repeated.

#2 Special Effect Pump

The kinetic pumps are also known as special effects pumps. This type of pump is one in which
adding energy is still kinetic and velocity, but it employs other effects than centrifugal pumps.
These pumps are further classified into two types.

#1 Jet Pump

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These types of pumps are used to flow the fluid by a driving nozzle that converts the fluid
pressure into a high-speed jet. To run a typical jet pump, it must be completely filled with water.
When the system is primed, a centrifugal pump is used to push the water out.

Some of the water gets discharged while the rest is recirculated into the driveline. When water
enters the nozzle, fluid is pushed through the venturi by generating a vacuum. Then, it draws the
water up the well through a foot valve. As the water moves the venturi tube into the section line
it comes with a greater pressure to force the water back into the pump impeller.

#2 Electromagnetic Pump

An electromagnetic pump are installed for moving mediums alike liquid metals, molten salts,
brine, or other electrically conductive liquids by using electromagnetism energy. In this, a
magnetic field is set at right angles to the direction in which the liquid moves and the current
flows.

This generates an electromagnetic force that moves the liquid forward. These are commonly used
to pump liquid metal through the cooling system. In addition, they are also seen in many wave
soldering machines that use electromagnetic pumps to circulate the molten solder.

#2 Positive Displacement Pump

A positive displacement pump uses the reciprocating, rotary, or pneumatic motion to move the
liquid through the pump. Here, the discharge of the fluid occurs in the form of pulses instead of a
smooth liquid flow.

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These types of pumps are operated by trapping a fixed amount of fluid into the pump chamber at
an inlet valve and then it discharges through an outlet valve. These pumps are utilized based on
their ability to work in high viscosity fluid at high pressure.

#1 Reciprocating Pump

Reciprocating pumps uses a amount of water that is collected in an enclosed volume and is sent
to discharged by applying pressure. Reciprocating pumps are used with low volume flow at high
pressure.

This pump consists of a piston that moves back and forth in a fixed cylinder. The piston is
fastened to the crankshaft via a connecting rod. This piston moves as the movement of the
connecting rod are due to the movement of the crankshaft. This crankshaft connects to a motor
which helps it to turn.

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#1 Piston Pump

These are types of pumps where a high-pressure seal is connected with a piston. Piston pumps
are used to move liquids or gases and they operate over a wide range of pressures. In this, the
pumps can also deal with viscous media and media containing solid particles.

This pump works by means of a piston cup which provides the oscillating mechanism where the
down-stroke causes the pressure difference. This action fills the pump chambers, where the up-
stroke pumps the fluid out for the required application. It is usually used in systems that require
high and consistent pressure.

Read Also: 12 Different Types of Fasteners | Their Uses & Examples

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#2 Plunger Pump

In this type of pump, the high-pressure seal is fixed and a cylindrical plunger slides through the
seal. Plunger pumps use a plunger instead of piston to move media through a cylindrical
chamber.

These are operated by either steam-powered, pneumatic, hydraulic, or electric drives. These are
often used in higher pressures, to move municipal and industrial sewage.

It uses a crank mechanism to create a reciprocating motion along an axle, which then creates
pressure in the cylinder or working barrel to force the gas or fluid through the pump. These
plunger pump are used for drill cutting injection and chemical Injection.

#3 Diaphragm Pump

A diaphragm pump is a pump that uses a combination of reciprocating rubber, thermoplastic, or

Teflon diaphragms. Diaphragm pump uses rubber membrane and works on air displacement
principle.

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In this type, the diaphragm is filled with one side in the fluid to be pumped (air or hydraulic
fluid). As the volume of the chamber increases (the diaphragm moves upward), so the pressure
decreases, and fluid enters the chamber.

And when the pressure of the chamber is increased by the subsequently reduced volume (going
down the diaphragm), the drawn fluid is drained out. Finally, the diaphragm moves again up,
drawing fluid into the chamber, completing the cycle.

#2 Rotary Pump

It is also a type of positive displacement pump in which a fixed volume of fluid is moving with
each revolution. These pumps can provide continuously delivered capacity regardless of
pressure. Rotary pumps use rotating gears to move the fluid.

This revolving gear forms a liquid seal with the pump casing and makes suction at the pump
inlet. The fluid now drawn into the pump is locked within the teeth of its rotating gears and
transferred to the discharge. It certainly gives an advantage that it is a 100% oil-free operation.

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#1 Screw Pump

These types of pumps use one or several screws to move the liquid along the screw axis. A screw
pump generates pressure by using additional axial acceleration in the fluid within its clearance
area. The simplest form of screw pump is the Archimedes screw.

Screw pumps operate using two rotating screw rotors, arranged in such a way that they rotate
towards each other. This stores the gas in the space between the screws of their rotors. When the
screw begins to rotate, this stored volume is reduced resulting in compressed gas that drives it
toward the exhaust.

#2 Progressive Cavity Pump

These types of pumps are use rotor and stator assembly to transfer the fluid by means of the
progress through the pump. This rotor is a helical-shaped worm part that rotates within the stator.
The stator has a more 'worm thread' than the rotor and is made of a flexible material.

This arrangement allows for rotation of the stator and the condition of a transfer space that
creates the progressive cavity needed for the fluid. These pumps are typically used in the
metering of liquids and the pumping of viscous or shear-sensitive materials.

#3 Gear Pump

The gear pump uses gear meshing to pump the fluid by displacement. They are known as the
most common types of pumps that are utilized for hydraulic power applications. As this gears

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rotate, they separate on the intake side of the pump which creates a vacuum and suction area for
the fluid.

The fluid is moved by gears to the discharge side of the pump, where a meshing of gears replaces
the fluid. This tighter clearance along with the speed of rotation of the gears effectively prevents
fluid from leaking backward. The primary use of gear pumps is for pumping high viscosity fluids
in chemical installations.

Closing It Up
As we already said, there are different types of pumps available in the market. I hope this article
has helped you to know the main functionalities of each type of pump. The type of pump and
selection mainly depends on our requirements.

So now, I hope I’ve covered everything about “types of pumps“. If you still have any doubts or
questions on this topic, you can contact us or ask in the comments. If you like this article then
please share it with your friends.

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