Hydraulic Power Systems

Hydraulic (Positive
Displacement) Pumps
Types of fluid pumps and motors:
 Positive displacement
 Operates at relatively low
flow rates and high
pressures, and only used
with lubricating fluids
 Rotor-dynamics
 Fluid transfer at relatively
high flow rates and low
pressures
Major aspects in the selection of
pumps and motors:
1. Cost
2. Pressure ripple and noises
3. Suction performance
4. Contaminant sensitivity
5. Speed
6. Weight
7. Fixed or variable displacement
8. Maximum pressure and flow, or power
9. Fluid type.
Mechanical principle in pump
design:
 Operating speed
 Pressure
 Type of fluid
 Requirement for providing variable displacement
control
Gear Pumps
External gear pumps and motors:
 Operating ranges:
Power (1-100) kW
Pressure up to 250 bar
Speed (1000-3000) rpm
Efficiency ≥ 90%
External Gear Pumps:
Advantages:
 Simplicity

 Low cost

 Good suction performance

 Low contamination sensitivity

 Relatively low weight

 Design accommodates wide variety of materials

Disadvantages:
 Noisy
Alternative for low noise applications:
1. Vane pumps

2. Internal gear pumps

Applications:
 Common external gear pump applications include,
but are not limited to:
 Various fuel oils and lube oils
 Chemical additive and polymer metering
 Chemical mixing and blending (double pump)
 Industrial and mobile hydraulic applications (log
splitters, lifts, etc.)
 Acids and caustic (stainless steel or composite
construction)
 Low volume transfer or application
Internal Advantages:
 Non-pulsating discharge
 Excellent for high-viscosity liquids
 Constant and even discharge regardless of pressure
conditions
 Operates well in either direction
 Single adjustable end clearance
 Easy to maintain
 Flexible design offers application customization
Disadvantages:
 Usually requires moderate speeds
 Medium pressure limitations
Applications:
 Common internal gear pump applications include, but are
not limited to:
 All varieties of fuel oil and lube oil
 Resins and Polymers
 Alcohols and solvents
 Asphalt, Bitumen, and Tar
 Polyurethane foam (Isocyanate and polyol)
 Food products such as corn syrup, chocolate, and peanut butter
 Paint, inks, and pigments
 Soaps and surfactants
 Glycol
Piston Pumps
Piston pumps:
 Operating ranges:
Pressure up to 450 bar (for high pressure applications)
Power (100 – 300 – 1000) kW
Efficiency ≥ 90%
Note: price of piston pump = 10 times of gear pump.
Vane Pumps
Advantages:
 Handles thin liquids at relatively higher pressures
 Can run dry for short periods
 Can have one seal or stuffing box
 Develops good vacuum
Disadvantages:
 Complex housing and many parts
 Not suitable for high pressures
 Not suitable for high viscosity
 Not good with abrasives
Applications:
 Aerosol and Propellants
 Aviation Service - Fuel Transfer, Deicing
 Auto Industry - Fuels, Lubes, Refrigeration Coolants
 Bulk Transfer of LPG and NH 3
 LPG Cylinder Filling
 Alcohols
 Refrigeration - Freons, Ammonia
 Solvents
 Aqueous solutions