29 May Submersible Pumps vs. Other Types of Pumps: Which Type of Pump is Best for Your Industry?
Principally used to simplify the transfer of fluids of varying viscosities and at times to meter out specific doses, selecting the right submersible pumps and various other pumps can leave novices perplexed. To try and ease the burden of your search, we at Prochem Chemical Pump Manufacturers will expand on the main types of pumps and the industries that benefit from selecting them in this article.
Which Category Do Submersible Pumps Fit Into?
The two main categories of pumps are positive displacement and centrifugal pumps, with submersible pumps being a type of the latter. Centrifugal pumps use impellers to accelerate fluids outwards whilst continuously rotating whereas positive displacement pumps move fluids by repeatedly enclosing them in a fixed volume and moving the fluids through the pumping system.
Positive displacement pumps are preferred for use in applications that involve the movement of highly viscous fluids such as slurries at high pressures and biological fluids, and in chemical manufacturing processes where accurate dosing is required. Centrifugal pumps are ideal for pumping low-viscosity or “thin” liquids in industrial, agricultural, and domestic applications. In fact, there is a type of centrifugal pump for almost any application.
Advantages of Selecting Submersible Pumps
Considered extremely energy efficient, submersible pumps play a vital role in several industrial applications. As these pumps are submersed in the fluid that is being pumped, less energy is used as the liquid is pushed as opposed to being pulled to the surface. By using direct pressure, submersible pumps are more efficient at clearing water and pumping it over distances, making them ideal for underground water excavation. These pumps are self-priming and there is no danger of cavitation due to temperature drops.
Industries that benefit from using submersible pumps include:
- Construction sites where they are used to clear flooded areas and for slurries
- Wells and boreholes used for agricultural irrigation
- Pumping sewage before being transferred to treatment plants
- Desalination plants
Industrial Applications
Positive placement pumps are ideal in food processing, in the petrochemical industry, and for handling various molten materials in plastics manufacturing, to name a few. Some of the common industrial applications for surface centrifugal pumps include pumping various flammable and corrosive fluids, and being used in wastewater treatment at paper mills and oil refineries.
Variables to Consider Before Selection
Before selecting the type of centrifugal or positive displacement pumps for your application, it is advisable to consider the following:
- The liquid properties that are going to be processed through the pump should be considered.
- Think of the suitability of the pump’s construction materials for the fluids being pumped.
- Where is downtime not an option in critical applications?
- A pump must never be starved, so make sure that the inlet pressure conditions are correct.
- Special construction or installation needs to be done if the pump is kept outside to keep it from being affected by outside temperatures and environmental hazards.
- A stable power source must always be used.
- Ensure that the pressure produces the right flow rates.
Contact the Leader in Chemical Handling Pumps
Whether the type of pump you require is for irrigation purposes or for metering out specific doses in chemical or manufacturing processes, we at Prochem Chemical Pump Manufacturers provide a wide range of positive displacement and centrifugal pumps ideal for any commercial, industrial, and residential application. Knowing that the choice of pump is based on select criteria, we would suggest that you consult with us before choosing a pump based purely on the type.