Centrifugal Pump Design

Centrifugal Pump Design Centrifugal Pump A common type of kinetic or momentum-based pump is a centrifugal pump. A centrifugal pump consists of an impeller with blades rotating inside a casing. The impeller rotation reduces the pressure at the pump inlet causing fluid to flow into the pump. The fluid is then accelerated outward along the blades and exits the pump. Centrifugal pumps are suitable for use with low viscosity fluids that can withstand a moderate amount of shear. The primary advantages of centrifugal pumps are simplicity, low purchase cost, and low maintenance. Since centrifugal pumps are momentum based, tolerances are not critical. They can also be used to pump low viscosity fluids. In addition, centrifugal pumps provide a more steady fluid flow at the pump outlet. However, a centrifugal pump has several limitations. It is inefficient at pumping fluids of high viscosity due to the large amount of work required to rotate the impellers in the presence of a viscous fluid. Because of the speed of the impeller, a fluid is subjected to high shear. Thus, a centrifugal pump should not be used to pump a shear sensitive fluid. In the food industry, centrifugal pumps are used to pump non-viscous fluids like water, alcohol, and beverages. Components of a Centrifugal Pump • • •

A centrifugal pump has two main components: A rotating component comprised of an impeller and a shaft A stationary component comprised of a casing, casing cover, and bearings.

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