Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump:

Differences between a Centrifugal Pump and a Positive

Displacement Pump (With PDF)
whatispiping.com/centrifugal-vs-positive-displacement-pump/

Anup Kumar Dey

Centrifugal and Positive displacement pumps are the two main categories of pumps used
widely. The main purpose of both groups of pumps is to pump fluid from one point to
another. But they have some distinct differences. The working principle of both these
pump groups is different. A Centrifugal Pump transfers the kinetic energy of the motor to
the liquid through the rotating impeller. This increases the velocity and pressure at the
discharge. The discharge velocity remains constant when motor rpm is constant. On the
other hand, Positive displacement pumps trap a fixed volume of fluid in its cavity and
force it to discharge into the pump outlet. So, it is a constant volume device. Positive
displacement comes in rotary, reciprocating, or diaphragm style. Centrifugal pumps are
high capacity and relatively low-head pumps whereas positive displacement pumps are
low capacity high-head pumps. In the next paragraphs, we will discuss, other major
differences between Centrifugal and Positive Displacement Pumps.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Fluid Handling

With an increase in the fluid viscosity the efficiency of centrifugal pump decreases due to
frictional losses. That’s why centrifugal pumps are not suitable for highly viscous fluids.
Whereas, with increase in viscosity, the efficiency of positive displacement pump
increases.

Also, positive displacement pumps can handle liquids with suspended solids and liquid
with abrasive particle.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Pump Speed &

Shearing of Liquid
Centrifugal Pumps are high speed pumps. It causes shearing of liquids. Hence, not
suitable for sensitive mediums. On the other hand, positive displacement pumps operate
at lower velocities which causes very little shear.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Pump Performance

In centrifugal pumps, the flow varies with change in pressure whereas in positive
displacement pumps flow remains constant with changing pressure. For both pumps, flow
can be regulated by changing the speed. Fig. 1 below shows how a centrifugal pump and
a positive displacement pump behaves with changes in different factors.

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 Fig. 1: Centrifugal Pump vs Positive Displacement Pump Performance

The above curves show that “with increase in Viscosity, Flow Rate and Efficiency of
centrifugal pump drops to a huge extent. Also, with changes in pressure head centrifugal
pump flow rate and efficiency changes”

In a centrifugal pump the Net Positive Suction Head required (NPSHr) varies as a
function of flow determined by pressure. But in a Positive Displacement pump the NPSHr
varies as a function of flow determined by speed. The lower the speed of a Positive
Displacement pump, the lower is the NPSHr.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Efficiency

Centrifugal pumps perform better in the center of the curve known as BEP (best efficiency
point). At lower or higher pressure levels, the centrifugal pump efficiency reduces. It is
therefore suggested to operate centrifugal pumps within a window of 80-110% of its BEP
for optimum pump performance. When moving far enough to the right or left from the
curve center, pump life is reduced due to shaft deflection or increased cavitation.
Positive displacement pumps can operate at any point of the curve. The efficiency
increases with an increase in pressure.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Priming Requirement

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Standard centrifugal pumps require priming before starting the pump. Whereas positive
displacement pumps create a vacuum on the suction side; So fluid can automatically
enter the pump. Positive displacement pumps are called self-primed pumps.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Cavitation

Due to the presence of entrapped gases, centrifugal pumps are more susceptible to
cavitation as compared to positive displacement pumps. Also, during low flow operation,
centrifugal pumps are more prone to overheating.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Series and parallel

operation
In parallel operation of two or more pumps to increase the flow. Normally, positive
displacement (PD) pumps in parallel will provide larger flows as compared to centrifugal
pumps as PD pumps will inherently compensate for the higher system pressure and in
case of centrifugal pumps due to frictional losses the combined flow is not doubled.

Fig. 2: Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump

For series operation in centrifugal pumps, the head created by each pump is added. But
for PD pumps in series operation, no advantage is obtained and hence, PD pumps are
not run in series.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Which one to Select?

A Positive Displacement pump will be a preferred selection in the following situations:

For high viscous applications.

For variable pressure conditions.
When the pump will be operating away from the BEP.
For changing viscosity conditions.
For very high-pressure applications.
For shear sensitive liquids.

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However, these are only a few criteria. Actual pump selection is more detailed and an
experimental study is required for selecting the right pump.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Cost

The operational and maintenance cost of a positive displacement pump is normally lower
than the centrifugal pump. The initial cost can be more or equivalent to a centrifugal pump
depending on the positive displacement pump type.

Due to Low-speed operation, Positive displacement pump seals work longer as compared
to centrifugal pump seals.

Centrifugal vs Positive Displacement Pump: Applications

Centrifugal pumps are best suited for thin liquids possessing low viscosity levels like
water, thin oils and fuels, and chemicals. It is, therefore, the most commonly used for
high-volume applications with high flow rates at low pressures. Some of the popular
applications of centrifugal pumps include

Irrigation
Municipal water and water supply systems
Chemical, Petrochemical, and light fuel transfer stations
Air conditioners and water circulators
Boiler feeds
Firefighting
Cooling towers

On the contrary, positive displacement pumps are used for high pressure and low flow
conditions to move highly viscous fluids. Some of the popular applications include

Manufacturing facilities to move thick paste and jelly.

Municipal Sewage systems.
Thick Oil Processing
Food Processing plants

The main differences between Centrifugal Pump and Positive Displacement Pumps are
tabulated below

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Centrifugal Pump Positive Displacement Pump

Efficiency decreases with increasing Efficiency increases with increasing

viscosity viscosity

Flow varies with changing pressure Flow insensitive to changing

pressure

Efficiency decreases at both higher and Efficiency increases with increasing

lower pressures pressure

Priming is Required Priming is not required

Constant Flow Pulsating Flow

High Velocity Low internal velocity

High Capacity and Low Head Low Capacity and High Head

Centrifugal Action rotary, reciprocating or diaphragm

principle

Centrifugal Pump vs Positive Displacement Pump

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