What is Centrifugal pump?

Centrifugal pumps are used to transport fluids by converting rotational kinetic energy into hydrokinetic energy of fluid flow.The rotational energy usually comes from an engine or electric motor.They are a subclass of dynamic axisymmetric power-absorbing turbines.Fluid enters the pump impeller along or near the axis of rotation, is accelerated by the impeller, flows radially outward into the diffuser or volute chamber (casing), and exits it.Common uses include water, sewage, agricultural, petroleum and petrochemical pumping.Centrifugal pumps are usually chosen for their high flow capability, grinding solution compatibility, mixing potential, and relatively simple engineering.Centrifugal fans are often used to implement air handling units or vacuum cleaners.The reaction of the centrifugal pump is that the water turbine converts the hydraulic potential energy into mechanical rotational energy.

How it works

Like most pumps, a centrifugal pump converts rotational energy (usually from a motor) into energy in a moving fluid.A portion of the energy is converted into kinetic energy of the fluid.Fluid enters axially through the bore of the casing, is captured by the impeller blades, and rotates tangentially and radially outward until it enters the diffuser portion of the casing through all circumferential portions of the impeller. The fluid acquires velocity and pressure as it passes through the impeller.The annular diffuser or vortex portion of the housing slows down the flow and further increases the pressure.

Vertical centrifugal pump

Vertical centrifugal pumps are also known as cantilever pumps.They feature a unique shaft and bearing support arrangement that allows the volute to be suspended in the oil sump while the bearings are outside the sump.This type of pump does not use a stuffing box to seal the shaft, but a "throttle bushing". A common application for this type of pump is a parts washer.

Froth pumps

In the mining industry or oil sands extraction, foam is produced to separate mineral-rich or bitumen from sand and clay.The air contained in the foam tends to clog traditional pumps and cause loss of perfusion.Historically, industry has developed different approaches to deal with this problem.In the pulp and paper industry, holes are drilled in impellers.Air escapes to the rear of the impeller, where a special ejector discharges the air back into the suction tank.The impeller can also be equipped with special small blades between the primary blades, called split blades or secondary blades.Some pumps may have a large eye, a deflector or recirculate pressurized foam from the pump discharge back to the suction to break up air bubbles.