Understanding How Centrifugal Pumps  Work

Used in many industries including oil refineries, power plants, and municipalities, centrifugal pumps are one of the most common types of pumps.  

They are primarily for transporting liquids with rotational energy, and perform best with low-viscosity fluids.

The impeller of a centrifugal pump it its foundation. As the fluid enters the pump, it will pass through the eye of the impeller and exit through the impeller's vanes. This rotating impeller will discharge the fluid from the pump’s casing at a controlled pressure. Using electric motor and kinetic energy the pressure is controlled. You should note that most centrifugal pumps come with one of two casing designs: volute and diffuser. They both release the fluid at a consistent pressure, though they do so differently. A volute casing has an offset impeller which produces a curved cone that pushes the fluid toward the outlet. A diffuser casing has motionless vanes around the impeller which is an easier design to manipulate for specific applications.

Understanding how centrifugal pumps work is surprisingly simple: you have a fluid input, and the impeller pushes the fluid through as the output. Repairing these pumps however, is not as simple. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you’re going to waste a lot of time and potentially damage the pump.

Total Tools is a supplier for industrial pumps, so if you’re searching for a reputable industrial pump supply company, you’ve come to the right place. Our team consists of industry experts who also know how to perform several repairs to get your pump back up and running in no time. Reach out to us today if you’d like to request pricing or have any questions at all.