Centrifugal pumps will be found in the major industrial applications. Centrifugal pumps are the most popular and commonly used pumps to move fluids and solid liquids in industrial plants. Ranging from domestic to industrial uses, centrifugal pumps have an extensive range of applications.

1. Types of Centrifugal
Pumps – Everything You
Need to Know
Introduction
Centrifugal pumps will be found in the major industrial applications. Centrifugal pumps
are the most popular and commonly used pumps to move fluids and solid liquids in
industrial plants. Ranging from domestic to industrial uses, centrifugal pumps have an
extensive range of applications.
Let’s dive in to learn about centrifugal pumps, their working principles, applications,
types, and everything about them.
What is a Centrifugal Pump?
Centrifugal pump is a type of pump that is used to move any kind of fluids, liquid, slurry,
water, or sewage with the help of an impeller fit in it. Centrifugal pumps use kinetic
energy to transfer fluids from one place to another. Whether it’s pumping water from a
well or moving chemicals in a factory, centrifugal pumps are ideal for every industry.

2. How do Centrifugal Pumps
work?
Centrifugal pumps work by converting rotational energy from a motor into kinetic
energy to transfer fluids from one to another place. In the entire process of moving
fluids further, the pump utilizes the impeller which is one crucial component of a
centrifugal pump, which consists of curved vanes. When the fluid enters an impeller, its
rotational motion forwards the fluid further creating high pressure and increasing the
velocity of the liquid. Afterward, fluid leaves the impeller vanes and conducts itself to the
diffuser casing or pump volute, from which a fluid is pressurized to move to the
discharge port or the next stage of the multi-stage centrifugal pump.
Working Principle of
Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps follow the “Force Vortex Flow” principle - as its basic working
principle. This working principle of centrifugal pumps refers to the rise in the pressure
head of liquid when a certain amount of liquid rotates with external force. This pressure
head leads liquid to be lifted at a high level.
An example of this type of flow can be explained as when water flows out of a bathtub
or sink, flows in the centrifugal pump casing, or flows around the circular bend in the
pipe.
Types of Centrifugal Pumps
Centrifugal pumps are divided into three types of centrifugal pumps according to their
flow systems:
Radial flow pumps
Radial flow pumps are the type of centrifugal pumps in which the fluid leaves the
impeller in the radial direction. The radial flow in the impeller stimulates the higher
centrifugal force that translates into higher discharge pressure but usually smaller
volume flow rates. That is why radial flow pumps are used for pumping a low or medium
flow rate and higher delivery head.
Radial flow pumps are used in:
 Lifting irrigation and drainage in agricultural lands

3.  Water cooling for thermals
 Nuclear power plants
 To handle seawater
 To supply fresh water
 Mining industry for dewatering
Radial flow pumps are found in vertical or horizontal configurations. This pump may
have a single or double suction impeller in it.
Mixed flow pumps
The impeller of mixed flow pumps has a mixed flow and its specific speed for low-speed
mixed pumps lies between 35 to 80 rpm and for high-speed mixed pumps its speed lies
between 80 to 160 rpm. The transition range of mixed flow pumps is average grounding
between the radial and axial flow pumps. This type of centrifugal pump is typically found
to be used in the same applications as radial flow pumps.
Mixed flow pumps can be in horizontal or vertical configurations with single-stage or
double-stage impellers. Both designs of dry-pit and wet-pit with suction elbow and bell
are possible for mixed flow pumps.
Axial flow pumps
Axial flow pumps are known as the family of flow pumps. This type of centrifugal pump
is fitted with an axial flow impeller which transports the fluid by making use of the
pressure differences at the impeller vanes. These pumps are used to pump a high flow
rate at the smaller delivery head.
Axial flow pumps are used in:
 Power plants
 Filling or emptying of dry docks
 Flood control
 Sewage digesters
Axial flow pumps are mostly supplied in either vertical or inclined configuration with a
diffuser, even though horizontal design is also available.

4. Classification of Centrifugal
Pumps based on the stages
Centrifugal pumps are also classified based on the number of the impeller set in them.
Single-stage centrifugal pumps
This type of centrifugal pump consists of only one impeller within its casing which makes
the pump maintenance easy. These pumps are best suited for low-pressure operations.
Double-stage centrifugal pumps
Two-stage or double-stage pumps are the type of centrifugal pumps that have two
impellers within their casings which function together to pump the associated process
liquids. These pumps are best used for medium-head applications.
Multi-stage centrifugal pumps
Multi-stage centrifugal pumps require three or more impellers to achieve maximum
efficiency. These pumps are demanded in high-head applications.
Uses of Centrifugal Pumps
The use of centrifugal pumps is extensive in diverse industrial applications. Such as;
 Water plants and water supply in residential areas
 sewage/slurry disposal
 Food and beverage manufacturing
 Mining industry
 Chemical industry
 Oil and gas industry
 Fire protection systems
 Paper mills
 Agricultural irrigation and drainage

5. Pump Up Your Needs!
Regardless of the size of your business in any industry, centrifugal pumps will help you
achieve the desired results for your applications. Having an efficient centrifugal pump
within your plant applications could make you free for other operations of your business.
Hunt no more for it - Jay Khodiyar Pumps is a reputed centrifugal pump manufacturer of
the best-quality centrifugal pumps with years of experience that meets all the needs of
our customers. Match the standard level of performance with our sufficient centrifugal
pumps!
Read More
 Side Suction Centrifugal Pumps – Everything You Need To Know
 Understanding the Difference Between Open, Semi-Open, and Closed Impellers