Water pumps are used in both domestic and industrial applications to move the liquid from one point to another. They are mechanical devices that work by either spinning or a back-and-forth motion to produce both suction and pressure that make the liquid flow. Pumps use such parts as pistons, impellers, valves, and a source of energy to get the work done. You will find several types of water pumps based on application area. Here are the most popular ones.
Centrifugal Pump
Centrifugal pumps are the most popular among the xxx types of pumps out there. They work by spinning an impeller inside a sealed housing. This rotational force pushes the water up, just as the name suggests. The blades of the impeller move swiftly, flinging the water outwards, an action that causes high-velocity flow. This energy becomes pressure as the water flows into the diffuser chamber.
These pumps are used to pump water from wells, power irrigation systems, and circulate water in pools. On the other hand, manufacturing plants use them for managing wastewater in treatment areas. Apart from water, they are used to pump oil and gas in refineries.
Submersible Pump
Submersible pumps operate while fully submerged in water. Unlike other types of pumps discussed here, their impellers and motors are sealed within a watertight casing to prevent any leakages. The pump is connected to a discharge pipe that takes the pressurised water to any point that you need to take the water. Again, since they stay underwater, they are always primed and can push water to long distances.
At home, these pumps are used to draw water from wells and drain water from flooded areas like basements and wells. They can also be used in industrial setups to pump sewage and wastewater. They are also used by desalination plants to collect seawater.
Positive Displacement Pump
Just as the name suggests, a positive displacement pump works by tapping and displacing a fixed volume of water with each rotation cycle. Unlike the centrifugal pump. This one allows an exact amount of water to go through the discharge pipe. Positive displacement pumps come in various types, but they all use the same principle: hand pumps, rotary pumps, and diaphragm pumps. Their mode of working involves capturing liquid and moving it forcefully.
At home, the pumps are usually installed in pool chemical injection systems and control the distribution of fluids and soaps. Hand pumps also fetch water from wells. In industries, the pumps help pump viscous oils and abrasive slurries.
Circulating Pump
Circulating pumps are used in closed-loop systems where the fluid needs to keep going around. They offer a hydraulic circulation of water for heating and cooling in HVAC systems as well as filtering and treating water in pools and industrial applications. Some hot water systems also use them to prevent waiting for hot water or hydronic systems to heat the floors.
These pumps provide a consistent flow pressure rather than high pressure. The mode of operation varies widely, but most of them use centrifugal technology where the impeller is sealed from leakage. They also use valves to prevent a backflow of water.
Jet pumps
Jet pumps work by creating a vacuum to draw water from a source that is below its surface. They work by creating a low-pressure area to draw water from the source. Once the chamber fills with water, the kinetic energy is converted into pressure for pushing it via the discharge pipe. These pumps are commonly used in irrigation systems and deep wells. They can also be used in industrial applications to transfer liquids with solid particles.
Diaphragm Pump
Diaphragm pumps, also known as membrane pumps, use a flexible diaphragm to create a vacuum that draws liquid into the pump chamber. By repeatedly expanding and contracting, the diaphragm pushes the fluid through a discharge valve, ensuring a smooth and controlled flow. These pumps are particularly useful for handling chemicals, sludge, and viscous liquids because they operate without the need for rotating parts that come into contact with the fluid.
These are the most popular types of water pumps. Your choice of a pump depends on your needs and application. It is good to seek professional advice when choosing to pick the right option for your application.
