Centrifugal pump- Construction, working and uses | The Mechanical post
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What is a Centrifugal pump?
A centrifugal pump is pump in which an impeller (propeller) rotates inside a closed casing draws in liquid at the centre and by virtue of centrifugal force, throws out through an opening to the delivery pipe.
The centrifugal pump is one of the most widely used pumps all over the world for different applications.
Construction of a centrifugal pump
- Impeller
- Casing
- Suction pipe
- Delivery pipe
- Foot valve with strainer
- Prime mover
Impeller-
Casing-
Suction pipe-
Delivery pipe-
Foot valve with strainer-
Fantagu, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons |
How does a centrifugal pump work?
The process of keeping the suction pipe and the impeller full of water is called as priming. Priming can be done manually or automatically.
What is a Multistage centrifugal pump?
When more power is needed or the pump is expected to deliver over long distances or at very high pressure a pump with a single impeller isn’t effective.
A centrifugal pump containing two or more impellers mounted on a single shaft is called a multistage centrifugal pump.
The impellers may be mounted on the same shaft or on different shafts. At each stage, the fluid is directed to the center before making its way to the discharge on the outer diameter.
The submersible pump is a type of multistage centrifugal pump commonly used in bore wells, swimming pools, drainage systems, etc.
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Advantages of a centrifugal pump:
- As the impeller is the single rotating part, losses due to friction are reduced to a minimum.
- It is having no valves, pistons so on reciprocating parts, therefore maintenance is much less.
- Discharge is constant.
- No shock, vibration, so a heavy foundation is not required.
- It is simple to design.
- Because of its high speed, the discharge capacity is high.
Image source – Kaze0010 ( talk ), Centrifugal Pump-mod , CC BY-SA 3.0 |
Applications of centrifugal pumps.
- Drinking water and drainage systems.
- Agriculture and irrigation processes.
- Thermal power plant.
- Hydraulic control system.
- Textile- bleaching of fabrics and silk.
- Food- sugar refining bleaching etc.
- Electronics- acid waste transfer.
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