Centrifugal Water Pumps

There are many types of water pumps. Centrifugal water pumps are one of the types of water pumps and are considered to be the simplest and most common of them all. These pumps have been very useful since they are the usual choice for transporting delicate materials and for the sanitary purposes.

How Centrifugal Water Pumps Work

The purpose of centrifugal water pumps is to convert engine energy into kinetic energy then convert it into pressure of the fluid or water being forced out. Energy conversions take place in the volute and the impeller. The rotating part of the pump or the impeller changes the engine energy into kinetic energy or energy in motion. The volute, on the other hand, is the immobile part of the pump that changes the kinetic energy produced by the impeller into pressure. The impeller will also increase the flow rate and the pressure of the fluid. The fluid will then flow axially into a volute chamber or radially outward and then exits to the piping system. These centrifugal water pumps are usually intended for large amount of discharge via smaller heads.

This type of pumps was developed in the sixties to transport and preserve fishes in good condition. This centrifugal pump was made with screw centrifugal impeller. From then on, centrifugal water pumps with screw centrifugal impeller became widely known and utilized in transporting delicate and fragile products such as fish and crystals.

Centrifugal impellers contain a single blade which is then connected to the outlet of the centrifuge. This connection permits pumping with the least amount of shear and agitation which is important when avoiding liquid emulsification, product bruising, or clogging.

Types Of Centrifugal Water Pumps

There are different types of centrifugal water pumps that can be classified basing upon the number of impellers in the pump, impeller suction, and shaft orientation.

Based upon the number of impellers, it can be single stage, two-stage or multi-stage. A single stage contains one impeller. A two-stage contains two impellers in series. A multi stage has three or more impellers in series.

Based upon the impeller suction, it can be single or double suction. A single suction has an impeller containing a suction cavity on one side while a double suction has an impeller containing suction cavities on both sides.

Based upon the shaft orientation, it can be horizontal or vertical. A horizontal orientation is a pump with a shaft in horizontal plane while a vertical orientation is a pump with a shaft on vertical plane.

Centrifugal water pumps are also famously used for handling sludge and raw sewage on treatment plants which benefits the entire population. These pumps are perfect for treating raw sewage, which is composed of stringy fibrous materials and for treating sewage sludge with dry solids content. The following are the typical applications of these pumps:

• emptying of sump
• treatment of industrial effluent
• oily water separators feeding
• safe transfer of live fish, fruits and vegetables
• mine drainage
• chemical and oil spillages in the bodies of water
• parts washer equipments
• sludge and waste oil processing
• and especially in treatment plants for water wastes in municipalities.

Just like how irrigation water pumps are so important to farmers, centrifugal water pumps are very useful in our modern society today. Because of its efficiency especially in handling sewage and waste products, we are able to enjoy a clean and improved environment.