PUMPS — Classification & Working Principles

A Comprehensive Engineering Reference | Chemical Engineering

CLASSIFICATION TREE

PUMPS

Ejector Positive■Displacement Dynamic

Reciprocating Rotary Centrifugal Axial

Single■Acting Double■Acting Diaphragm■Type Screw/■Lobe Vane Liquid■Ring

Figure 1: Complete classification of pumps

Pumps are devices that transfer mechanical energy to a fluid, thereby increasing its pressure, velocity, or
elevation. They are broadly classified into Ejectors, Positive Displacement (PD) pumps, and Dynamic pumps.
Each category has distinct operating principles, advantages, and industrial applications.

1. EJECTOR (JET PUMP)

EJECTOR / JET PUMP

Mixing Chamber Diffuser

Nozzle

Motive Fluid■(High Pressure) Discharge

Suction■Fluid

Figure 2: Ejector / Jet Pump — working principle

Working Principle: A high-pressure motive fluid (steam or water) is passed through a converging nozzle,
converting pressure energy into kinetic energy. The high-velocity jet creates a low-pressure zone that entrains
(sucks in) the suction fluid. Both fluids mix in the mixing chamber and then pass through the diverging diffuser,
which converts velocity back to pressure for discharge.
• No moving mechanical parts — highly reliable
• Self-priming; can handle slurries and corrosive fluids
• Applications: vacuum systems, deep-well pumping, priming centrifugal pumps
• Low efficiency (~10–30%) compared to mechanical pumps
 2. POSITIVE DISPLACEMENT PUMPS

In positive displacement (PD) pumps a fixed volume of fluid is trapped in a cavity and then forcibly pushed to the
discharge. Unlike dynamic pumps, they can generate very high pressures at relatively low flow rates, and flow is
nearly independent of system pressure. PD pumps are further divided into Reciprocating and Rotary types.

2a. Reciprocating — Single Acting

SINGLE ACTING RECIPROCATING PUMP

Cylinder
Discharge
OV

Piston Rod

Suction Crank
IV

Piston

Figure 3: Single Acting Reciprocating Pump

Working Principle: The piston moves forward (suction stroke) — the inlet valve opens and fluid fills the cylinder;
the outlet valve remains closed. On the return (delivery stroke) the inlet valve closes, the outlet valve opens, and
fluid is discharged. Pumping occurs only on one stroke, producing a pulsating flow.
• Simple construction, easy maintenance
• Suitable for high-pressure, low-flow applications
• Pulsations can be smoothed with an air vessel

2b. Reciprocating — Double Acting

DOUBLE ACTING RECIPROCATING PUMP

Discharge

DV DV

Suction
SV SV

← Both sides active →

Figure 4: Double Acting Reciprocating Pump

Working Principle: Two sets of valves (inlet + outlet) are provided on both sides of the piston. While the forward
stroke delivers fluid from the front, the back cavity simultaneously fills. On the return stroke, the roles reverse. This
gives two delivery strokes per revolution, nearly doubling output and reducing pulsation significantly.
• Nearly double the output of a single-acting pump of the same size
• More uniform flow; widely used for water supply and pressure testing
 2c. Reciprocating — Diaphragm Type

DIAPHRAGM PUMP
Diaphragm

OUT

Fluid■Chamber Actuating■Chamber Actuator■(Mech./Air)

IN

Figure 5: Diaphragm Pump

Working Principle: Instead of a piston, a flexible diaphragm (rubber, PTFE, or metal) flexes back and forth,
alternately expanding and compressing the fluid chamber. The fluid never contacts the actuating mechanism,
making this pump ideal for hazardous, corrosive, or hygienic fluids. Actuation is mechanical, hydraulic, or
pneumatic.
• Zero leakage — completely sealed fluid path
• Handles abrasive slurries and toxic chemicals safely
• Applications: chemical dosing, pharmaceutical, food processing, mining

2d. Rotary — Screw / Lobe Pump

SCREW / LOBE PUMP

Rotor 1 Rotor 2

■
Inlet Outlet

Figure 6: Screw / Lobe Pump

Working Principle: Two meshing rotors (lobe-shaped or helical screws) counter-rotate, trapping pockets of fluid
between the rotors and casing, and carrying them axially from inlet to outlet. The rotors are timed so they never
touch; a thin film of fluid seals the gap. Flow is continuous and smooth with very little pulsation.
• Excellent for high-viscosity fluids (food, adhesives, bitumen)
• Gentle pumping action — preserves shear-sensitive materials
• Lobe pumps: easy CIP (clean-in-place) for hygienic service
 2e. Rotary — Vane Pump

VANE PUMP

Suction Discharge
Rotor

Vane

Casing

Figure 7: Vane Pump

Working Principle: Sliding vanes in slots of an eccentric rotor are flung outward by centrifugal force (or
spring-loaded), maintaining contact with the casing. As the rotor spins, the crescent-shaped cavities on the suction
side grow, drawing in fluid; on the discharge side they shrink, expelling fluid. The eccentricity creates the volume
change.
• Compact, quiet, and self-compensating for wear
• Handles thin liquids (solvents, fuels, refrigerants)
• Applications: hydraulic systems, automotive fuel pumps, vacuum pumps

2f. Rotary — Liquid Ring Pump

LIQUID RING PUMP

Gas In Gas Out

Liquid■Ring
Eccentric■Rotor

Figure 8: Liquid Ring Pump

Working Principle: A multi-blade eccentric rotor spins inside a cylindrical casing partially filled with liquid (usually
water). Centrifugal force throws the liquid to the walls, forming a rotating liquid ring. Due to eccentricity, the
pockets between blades enlarge on one side (suction) and diminish on the other (discharge), compressing gas or
vapour. It is primarily a vacuum pump for gas service.
• Ideal for vacuum and gas compression, not liquids alone
• Isothermal compression — suitable for explosive or condensable gases
• Applications: paper mills, power plants, chemical vacuum systems
 3. DYNAMIC PUMPS

Dynamic pumps add velocity (kinetic energy) to the fluid using a rapidly rotating impeller, and then convert part of
that velocity into pressure through a diffusing passage. Unlike PD pumps, their flow rate varies significantly with
system back-pressure (characteristic curve).

3a. Centrifugal Pump

CENTRIFUGAL PUMP

Discharge■(Tangential)

Suction■(Axial)
■

Impeller Volute■Casing

Figure 9: Centrifugal Pump — impeller and volute casing

Working Principle: Fluid enters the impeller axially at the eye and is accelerated radially outward by the rotating
curved blades. The volute casing surrounding the impeller gradually increases in cross-sectional area, converting
the high-velocity discharge into pressure (Bernoulli conversion). The resulting flow is tangential at the outlet.
Impeller types: open, semi-open, and closed.
• Most widely used pump in industry — simple, reliable, low cost
• Best suited for high flow, moderate pressure applications
• Not self-priming (requires priming unless special design)
• Applications: water supply, HVAC, chemical process, power plants, marine
• Head–Flow curve: head decreases as flow rate increases (characteristic curve)

3b. Axial Flow Pump

AXIAL FLOW PUMP

Flow In → → Flow Out

Shaft

Inlet■Guide Vanes Propeller■Impeller Diffuser■Vanes

Figure 10: Axial Flow Pump (Propeller Pump)

Working Principle: The propeller-type impeller imparts velocity to the fluid in the axial direction (along the shaft).
Inlet guide vanes reduce pre-rotation and improve efficiency; diffuser vanes downstream convert the swirling
velocity into pressure. Flow direction is essentially straight through — like a ship's propeller in a tube.
• Produces very high flow rates at low to moderate head
• Compact axial footprint — ideal for large pipe installations
• Applications: irrigation, flood control, circulating water in power stations
• Mixed-flow pumps are a combination of centrifugal and axial principles
 COMPARISON TABLE — All Pump Types

Flow Pressure Self- Common

Pump Type
Pattern Capability Priming Applications

Ejector Continuous Low–Medium Yes Vacuum, slurries

Single Acting Pulsating High Yes Metering, dosing

Double Acting Less Pulsating High Yes Water supply

Diaphragm Pulsating Medium Yes Chemicals, food

Screw/Lobe Continuous Medium–High Yes Viscous fluids

Vane Continuous Medium Yes Hydraulics, fuel

Liquid Ring Continuous Low–Medium Yes Gas/vacuum handling

Centrifugal Continuous Low–High No Water, HVAC, process

Axial Flow Continuous Low No High flow, irrigation

SV = Suction Valve | DV = Delivery Valve | IV = Inlet Valve | OV = Outlet Valve | Head ∝ N² | Flow ∝ N (for centrifugal, where N = rotational
speed)