Conventional pumps are used to pump liquids that are at the same level or lower than the pump itself. But if the liquid is at a higher level than the pump, a centrifugal pump is used. In this article, we will look at what centrifugal pumps are and how they work.
Centrifugal pumps are one of the most common pumps used for pumping liquids. They work on the principle of centrifugal force. When a centrifugal pump is operating, a rotor with different blades pulls the liquid from a lower pressure location and throws it to a higher pressure.
The main components of a centrifugal pump include a casing, rotor, vanes, shafts and bearings. When the rotor starts to rotate, the liquid enters the casing through the inlet port. The rotor blades redirect the fluid from the centre to the periphery of the rotor, where it is ejected through the outlet.
One of the main advantages of centrifugal pumps is their high efficiency. They can pump large volumes of liquid over long distances at high speeds. In addition, centrifugal pumps have a large flow capacity, which allows them to pump liquids with a large number of particles without stopping or clogging.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with using centrifugal pumps. One of them is that they are not very efficient for pumping viscous liquids such as honey or oil. This is because the rotor blades can get stuck in the viscous liquid and stop rotating, which reduces the efficiency of the pump.
Additionally, centrifugal pumps can generate significant noise and vibration, especially when operating at high speeds. This can be a problem in some demanding applications where a certain level of quietness and stability must be maintained.
As a result, centrifugal pumps are essential components of many fluid transfer systems. They are highly efficient and have a large flow capacity, which allows them to pump fluid over long distances at high speeds. However, for certain types of fluids, such as viscous liquids, other types of pumps may be more efficient. Additionally, centrifugal pumps can generate noise and vibration, which requires additional attention when using them.