An Introduction to Centrifugal Pump Fundamentals
The most important factor in ensuring a pump system offers a long service life is to get the installation right. No amount of good engineering, proper pump selection, or correct application of pumping technology can overcome the challenges a poor installation can throw at a pump system. So it’s critical that we all know the … Read more
There are a few components that virtually every centrifugal pump has in common. These components include: An impeller A volute or diffuser style casing A shaft Shaft sleeves Bearings A sealing arrangement These parts can be subdivided into the wet end and the mechanical end. The wet end of the pump includes those parts that … Read more
The general consensus within the municipal and industrial pumping markets is that standard material pumps aren’t quite good enough for today’s demanding applications. There may be some truth to the idea that special materials and construction methods can provide a longer and more reliable service life. However, there are also good reasons why you should … Read more
It is increasingly common for pumps to be operated by motors that are controlled by variable frequency drives (VFDs). VFDs control motor speed by varying the frequency of the power being sent to the motor. So a 60 Hz motor operating at 1800 RPM will reduce to 1500 RPM if the frequency is varied down … Read more
It’s important to size an electric motor properly. Doing so will produce a pumping unit that is more efficient and provides a longer service life. Failing to size the motor correctly will result in a pumping unit that demands more power than it should or one that produces repeated electric faults and may suffer from … Read more
Just pick the pump with the highest efficiency! Right?” That’s the line of reasoning most novice pump professionals will follow. Efficiency is king! The most efficient pump will use the least amount of power, and run the best! All of that is true. Except when it isn’t. Sometimes the Design Condition Should NOT Fall at … Read more
What are the things you look for when making a pump selection? Which selection offers the highest efficiency at the rated condition? Does the operating condition fall near the pump’s best efficiency point? Which selection requires the smallest motor rating? While those are all great factors to consider, NPSH is another factor that you must … Read more
Years ago, making a pump selection meant sitting down with large printed catalogs and flipping through them until you reached a pump curve that fit a project’s hydraulic requirements. Today this process is made much easier through the use of electronic pump curve catalogs. One of the most well-known developers of electronic pump catalogs is … Read more
In a previous article, we discussed some common impeller and casing designs. This article will consider what happens when you put the two together. After reading this post, if you’d like to learn more about these types of pumps and other common pump types, check our page about common pump designs. End-Suction Pumps The most … Read more
When you boil them down to the most fundamental components, pumps are made up of two components: An impeller which creates velocity through rotation, And a casing which converts velocity into pressure. There are different types of impellers and different types of casings. The way that different types of impellers and casings are combined produces … Read more