Centrifugal Pump: Parts, Working And Applications

What is a Centrifugal Pump?

A centrifugal pump is a machine that transfers fluids, often liquids, from one location to another. This is accomplished by converting mechanical energy into the fluid's kinetic energy, which is then used to move the fluid. It is one of the most common types of pumps used in industries, companies, and homes to provide water, clean wastewater, water plants, process chemicals, and so on.

Parts of a Centrifugal Pump:

Centrifugal pumps are made up of two main components.

Static Equipment Components
Rotating Equipment Components

Parts of Static Equipment: Static equipment is a kind of industrial equipment that lacks moving parts. Static equipment components include the pump casing, intake and outlet pipes, and stuffing box.

Parts of Rotating Equipment: The most important component of industrial applications is rotating equipment, which has moving parts. Rotating equipment components include the impeller, mechanical seals, bearings, and couplings.

Centrifugal Pump Components Explanation:

1. Pump casing:

A centrifugal pump's casing protects its rotor, shaft, bearings, and mechanical seals. It is what the pump case is mostly used for.

The second job is to prevent fluid from leaking out of the pump. As a result, it keeps pumps running smoothly while also preventing environmental issues.

When a pump is running, friction and energy loss produce a lot of heat. The casing will help remove the heat from the pump and prevent it from returning.

2). Intake and Outlet Pipes:

The fluid enters a suction or intake pipe and exits a discharge or outlet pipe using centrifugal force.

Before the fluid reaches the suction pipe, a strainer removes dust particles from it. The fluid then travels to the suction pipe and enters the pump.

The Non-Return Valve (NRV) is located in the same output pipe as the other valves. The NRV prevents fluid from returning to the pump via the outlet pipes after it has left the pump.

3). Stuffing Box:

Heat might be generated between the moving shafts and the packing or cover. The Stuffing Box prevents the pump from overheating and harming itself.

Box seals come in two types: Packing and Mechanical Seals

Proper maintenance of the pump's filling box may save downtime and ensure its reliability in a variety of commercial settings.

4). Impellers:

Impellers provide rotational force to move fluids from the suction pipe to the output pipe. There are three types of propellers.

Impeller types include

semi-open impeller
closed impeller
Open Impeller

A semi-open impeller consists of blades or vanes on one side and an open opening on the other. This makes it easier for the fluid to move.

A closed impeller has a hood that protects its blades. The fluid can only enter and leave the impeller via certain passages.

An open impeller consists of vanes or blades attached to a central point without a shroud.

5) Mechanical seals:

In general, seals may be divided into four groups:

Single Mechanical Seal
Double Mechanical Seal
Tandem Mechanical Seal.
Labyrinth Seal

Single mechanical seal, double mechanical seal, and combined labyrinth seal used for leakage control

A single mechanical seal consists of just one set of rotating and stationary faces. Single mechanical seals are simple to use and inexpensive.

A double mechanical seal has two sets of rotating and stationary faces. The Barrier Fluid (fluid set pressure of 1 to 2 bars) adds an extra layer of defense.

A Tandem Mechanical Seal consists of three sets of rotating and stationary faces that are placed one after the other. The advantages of this mechanical seal include better protection, a lower risk of contamination, and the ability to handle fluids in a variety of ways.

A mechanical seal that forms a labyrinth and does not come into contact with rotating equipment. Labyrinth seals provide additional benefits, although they are not suitable for leaks at high pressures and clearances.

6). Shaft Couplings:

These mechanical parts connect two parts together. Pumps connect the pump to the motor via couplings. Because of the connection, both the motor and the pump turn at a high RPM (rotations per minute). It's the main thing coupling does.

The coupling's primary function is to transfer mechanical power from one end of the shaft to the other.

Couplings may be flexible, rigid, fluid, or gear. Pumps often use this kind of connection.

7) Pump bearings:

One of the most important components of a centrifugal pump is the pump bearing, which prevents the shaft from moving in both directions. So, the bearings will prevent the shaft damage from worsening. It's what most bearings are used for.

Bearings come in a variety of types, including ball bearings, roller bearings, thrust bearings, plain bearings, and needle bearings. These are the most common kind of bearings, with ball bearings being used in the majority of pumps. Support and guide, reduce friction, and spread the load. Bearings also provide another function.

How Centrifugal Pumps Work:

The first step in using a pump is priming. Before the pump can start, fluid must be added to the pump casing. Additionally, there are inlet pipes. This is called priming.

The shaft connected to the propeller and its eye. When you turn on the pump, the shaft and rotor spin, resulting in centrifugal force.

The centrifugal force created pushes the fluid out of the pump via pipes leading to the outside.

When low-pressure fluid enters the pump, the rotor generates a rotational force, causing the fluid to turn from low to high pressure. The liquid flows through the release pipes at high pressure. This is the fundamental idea behind how centrifugal pumps work.

Advantages:

High rate of flow.

Simple Style

These pumps can handle a variety of fluids and operate at a wide range of flow rates. They also need less maintenance and maintain a smooth, steady flow of fluid with no pulsations.

Disadvantages:

Centrifugal pumps cannot do certain tasks. Low efficiency makes it difficult to handle low flow rates of viscous fluids.

Centrifugal pumps have difficulty pulling liquids from low sources since they employ centrifugal force to move fluids. As a result, they are unable to lift liquids from deep depths as effectively as they formerly could. This makes them less suitable for applications that need a lot of suction lift.

Applications for Centrifugal Pumps:

Centrifugal pumps are used in a variety of fields. Here are some of the applications:

Centrifugal pumps are used in municipal water supply systems to provide water to homes, businesses, and industries.

Centrifugal pumps are used in wastewater treatment plants to transport waste water to various stages of treatment.

To transport and supply chemicals from tanks to ships in the chemical industry.

Used in the oil and gas industry to transport fluids, refine oil, and pump it through pipelines.

The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system circulates chilled, hot, or condensed water to heat or cool a building or industrial facility.

In power plants, it circulates boiler feed water and supplies water to various cooling systems.