A pump is a device used to move fluids, such as fluids or slurries. Centrifugal pump is a device for moving liquids and gases. The two major parts of the device are the impeller (a wheel with vanes) and the circular pump casing around it. In the most common type, called the volute centrifugal pump, fluid enters the pump at high speed
near the centre of the rotating impeller and is thrown against the casing by the vanes. The centrifugal pressure forces the fluid through an opening in the casing. This outlet widens progressively in a spiral fashion, which reduces the speed of the fluid and thereby increases pressure. Centrifugal pumps produce a continuous flow of fluid.
A centrifugal pump works by converting kinetic energy into potential energy measurable as static fluid pressure at the outlet of the pump. This action is described by Bernoulli’s principle.
With the mechanical action of an electric motor or similar, the rotation of the pump impeller imparts kinetic energy to the fluid through centrifugal force. The fluid is drawn from the inlet piping into the impeller intake eye and is accelerated outwards through the impeller vanes to the volute and outlet piping.
As the fluid exits the impeller, if the outlet piping is too high to allow flow, the fluid kinetic energy is converted into static pressure. If the outlet piping is open at a lower level, the fluid will be released at greater speed.
The typical application areas for Centrifugal pump are: Sump emptying, Industrial effluent treatment, Feeding oily water separators, Transfer of ‘live’ fish, Oil and Chemical spillages, Mine Drainage, Parts washer equipment, Processing of waste oils & sludge, Transfer of fruit and vegetables, Municipal wastewater treatment plants, etc.
Vertical centrifugal pumps are also referred to as cantilever pumps. They utilize a unique shaft and bearing support configuration that allows the volute to hang in the sump while the bearings are outside of the sump. This style of pump uses no stuffing box to seal the shaft but instead utilizes a “throttle Bushing”. A common application for this style of pump is in a parts washer.