Blog

 The truth behind how centrifugal pumps work

Several thousands of pieces of centrifugal pumps like Grundfos and Zoeller centrifugal pumps are sold across industries every year. These pumps are used in various industries – from cosmetics to wine-making and power generation plants to chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other industries. They are used for pumping water, organics, oils, acids, solvents, and other “thin” liquids. They move fluids from one area to another. It’s a common misconception that these pumps move liquids by “sucking” them in and transferring them to another place. But that’s not how Grundfos centrifugal pumps and Zoeller centrifugal pumps work. Here’s a look at the working of centrifugal pumps.

How does a centrifugal pump move fluids?

Centrifugal pumps are mechanical devices used to move fluids with the help of rotational energy.

The device is driven by a combustion engine or electric motor that generates a powerful centrifugal force that creates the velocity of the liquid. As a result, fluid enters the pump through a suction nozzle into the eye of the impeller. Impellers (rotors) are curved blades, and their action increases the fluid’s velocity. The impeller’s vanes catch the fluid, rotate it radially and tangentially. As the liquid passes the impeller, the fluid’s speed also increases. The fluid moves through the impeller until it finally exits the pump on the outlet end (the discharge side).

It’s not just the impeller that transfers fluids. Another highly critical part of the hydraulic design is the volute that converts the liquid’s velocity into pressure. As a result, the fluid leaving the pump does so with much greater force than when it enters the pump.

Unlike the common misconception, centrifugal pumps do not suck in liquids – they merely seem to do so. Here is a look at some of the most efficient centrifugal pumps in the market today, sold by PumpProducts.com.

Other types of centrifugal pumps are single-stage centrifugal pumps with only one impeller and multi-stage centrifugal pumps with more than one impeller. More impellers mean higher pressure.

Can centrifugal pumps transfer thick and heavy liquids?

Water and other “thin” or mildly viscous liquids are best transferred via centrifugal pumps. The thicker or heavier a liquid, the lesser the pump’s efficiency. Surprisingly, these pumps work well for solids, and some pumps can even pass solids that are more than 10 inches in diameter.

How to get the best from a centrifugal pump

If air gets into the pump, the centrifugal pump will not pump the liquid through the impeller efficiently. Ensure the pump is fully submerged to get the best performance from your centrifugal pump to avoid air entering the pump.

A self-priming centrifugal pump can work as effectively as a standard centrifugal pump. Even if it is not entirely submerged, it can ensure the smooth movement of water – even if it encounters air.

Benefits of centrifugal pumps

• Excellent for transferring thin or low viscosity liquids
• Best to use in low pressure and high capacity pumping applications
• Provide energy efficiency.
• Have proven reliability.
• Require low maintenance.
• Size and application versatility.

Grundfos is the largest pump manufacturer globally, producing over 16M pump units every year.

“Since 1945, when we first opened our doors in Denmark, we’ve grown to be represented by more than 100 firms in more than 60 countries, with our products marketed through local distributors in even more countries. In 1949, the first shipment of the pump took place, with Norway as the purchaser. Other countries soon followed, with Sweden hosting the first international exhibition in 1953. Grundfos supplies complete solutions to a broad range of industries and application areas, including boiler water, process water, cooling water, rinse water and drinking water.”

Grundfos centrifugal pumps are used worldwide in commercial and industrial settings to transfer water and other liquids, filter water, boost water pressure, and aerate fountains and ponds. The company’s centrifugal pumps are self-priming, corrosion-resistant, portable, and built using high-quality materials and precision engineering.

Zoeller is one of the leading US pump manufacturers and a leader in the wastewater industry with over 70 years of experience. The brand has set a high benchmark for other pump manufacturers, and the company maintains the highest quality standards and conducts rigorous factory testing.

The Zoeller Company began as a family-owned business in 1939, producing a variety of products, one of which was a dependable column sump pump.

Zoeller Company, one of the oldest, independently-owned pump manufacturers in the United States, has maintained the highest quality standards since its humble origins, setting the bar for all other pump manufacturers. All Zoeller pumps have been thoroughly tested and are of the highest quality. From the moment they’re plugged in, our submersible pumps are 100% factory-tested underwater for dependability.

Zoeller products are available in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as internationally. Zoeller has the solution to all your pumping needs with five separate wholesale product lines.

Zoeller centrifugal pumps are ideal for applications like water transfer, water circulation, pressure boosting, liquid transfer, cooling systems, dewatering, laundry equipment, irrigation, and mixing water. Zoeller has both single-stage centrifugal pumps and two-stage centrifugal pumps and a wide range of options within these two categories. All Zoeller pumps are high-head, moderate flow pumps.

PumpProducts.com is a master stocking distributor for all types of pumps, pump parts, and electric motors. The company is a nationwide distributor and has extensive experience in pumps and motors and their replacement parts. At PumpProducts.com, every salesperson is an expert who can help you choose the best pump or motor for your application. So, you can always be sure you have the best and most dependable and efficient product.