Nowadays, industrial pumps are being used in almost all industries for numerous purposes and applications. These pumps are much better than ordinary domestic pumps, in terms of both efficiency and power. Although, they are not completely immune to defects like leakages, which majorly contribute in diminishing the performance of the whole pumping system, various methods are used for fixing this problem.
Presently, the most popular way for fixing leakages is mechanical sealing. Though, this method is quite satisfactory and long lasting, it costs a pretty penny. On the contrary, there are other less expensive methods like packing, but it holds for a lesser period of time. Nevertheless, time-to-time maintenance is recommended for all industrial pumps to ensure their optimal performance and longevity.
Common Types of Industrial Pumps
Based on the efficiency, performance and applications, here are some pumps that are commonly used in industries:
1. Centrifugal Pumps
These pumps work on the principle of transforming energy produced by electric motors into kinetic energy. This kinetic energy is then used to pump fluid, as it generates the required pressure. The part, which results this conversion of electrical energy into kinetic energy, is known as the impeller. The fluid is passed through the rotating impeller, due to which centrifugal acceleration is created and by the time the fluid leaves the impeller, a low-pressure region is created, which allows the more fluid to flow in more rapidly.
Centrifugal pumps are the most commonly used pumps in industries worldwide in today’s date, due their longer life span, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. These pumps are also available with more than one impellers and are known as multi-stage centrifugal pumps. Connecting the impellers in parallel arrangement will enhance the higher flow output, while in series arrangement, the pressure at the outlet is increased. Common types of centrifugal pumps are vertical, multi-stage and froth pumps.
2. Positive Displacement Pumps
On the inlet side of these pumps, there is an expanding cavity and on the discharge side, there is a decreasing cavity. The principle of this pump is that it forces a constant volume of fluid into the discharge zone from the suction pressure section of the pump. These pumps are also called the constant flow pumps, as they keep the flow of the fluid constant, without any decrease in the amount of the flow. The main application of these pumps is in hydraulic systems. Some common types of positive displacement pumps are metering, rotary, reciprocating and chemical injection pumps
3. Air Driven Pumps
As the name suggests, air driven pumps work on the principle of compressed air for carrying out the pumping operation. These pumps are used for pumping fluids as well as in flammable gas pumping because it does not require electricity during gas pumping and the probability for damages are very less. The compressed air of the pump ensures fixed flow of fluid with any hindrance.Air driven pumps employ rotor and diaphragm for the efficient movement of the fluid.
These are some of the most common and efficient industrial pumps, though the advancement in technology has upgraded these pumps dramatically and made them even more productive, durable and multipurpose.