5 B A S I C D I F F E R E N C E S B E T W E E N

CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS AND

POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

Centrifugal w orking Positive displacement

An impeller rotates in the They pull fluid into a

housing, reducing pressure at compartment at the inlet and

the inlet. This brings fluid to the move it to an outlet for

outside of the pump’s housing, discharge using a rotary,

increasing the pressure enough reciprocating, or diaphragm

to push it out of the discharge. method to move the fluid.

flo w rate

Variable - they will move fluid Fixed - they will move fluid at

at different speeds the same speed regardless of

depending on pressure. pressure on the inlet.

viscosit y

Lower viscosity fluids of up High viscosity fluids run

to 850 cSt do well in more efficiently, with lower

centrifugal pumps. energy costs in PD pumps.

applications

Simple applications like water PD pumps do well in complex

pumped at 1000 gpm, with no applications - like those

back pressure do great in involving suction lift. They

centrifugal pumps. They are create a vacuum on the inlet

cheap and efficient. Some side and can reach vacuums

selfpriming pumps can lift liquid of 25 to 28” hg - a great

to 13” hg vacuum. choice for lift.

pressure

Best for low pressure Operates from 250 PSI to

applications but can be run in 3,000 PSI and gets more

series to boost pressure. efficient in higher pressure.

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