If you are just starting to explore the world of water pumps, you might come across some unknown names and terms that ignite your curiosity. When researching this topic, one of the most frequent names you will come across is centrifugal water pump. In this article, we will introduce some of the most important facts to know about centrifugal water pumps.
How Do Centrifugal Water Pumps Work?
As the name suggests, centrifugal water pumps are pumping devices that use centrifugal force to move water (or fluids with similar properties) from one place to another. Their mechanism works as follows: water flows into the pump’s body through the inlet. Once the liquid has entered the pump, it goes through a part of the pump known as the impeller which rotates at high speed and, using its vanes takes the water to the discharge of the pump at the necessary pressure for the liquid to reach its destination.
Why Do Centrifugal Water Pumps use Backward-curved Vanes?
The functioning of a water pump is, in part, determined by the design of each one of its components. Even the smallest detail must be carefully considered to obtain the best results. One of these details is the curvature of the vanes on the pump’s impeller. Centrifugal pumps use backward-curved vanes because this is the most efficient way to get a higher rotational speed and, therefore, higher pressure. Besides, if the vanes were forward-curved, the water would move to the center rather than the border, which is what is needed.
It is important to mention that there are different types of impellers with different types of vanes (radial, forward-curved, backward-curved, etc.) that will work differently depending on the application and the expected results (higher or lower pressure, higher or lower flow, clean water, sewage water, and so forth.).
How are Centrifugal Pumps Primed?
When someone talks about priming the water pump, they are referring to the process by which the air that can be found between the water source and the inlet of the pump is evacuated. This is an extremely important step that must be performed so that the air does not interfere with the proper functioning of the pump. When it comes to centrifugal water pumps, the priming process is done by installing a foot valve at the inlet of the pipe that feeds the pump. Then, the pipe must be filled with water. The pipe must be tightly closed to prevent air from coming in and to avoid water leaks. Properly priming your centrifugal pump is a crucial step to obtain the best results and avoid pump damage.
What are the Practical Uses of Centrifugal Water Pumps?
Centrifugal water pumps are among the most used water pumps within a wide range of applications. This is due to their affordable price and high efficiency when it comes to handling water and numerous liquids with chemical properties similar to water. Some of the most common home-oriented applications of centrifugal pumps are filling elevated tanks and garden irrigation. Besides, when combined with a pressure tank or variable frequency drive, these pumps can also be used to maintain desired water pressure at home.
Why are Centrifugal Pumps Used in Industrial Applications?
As mentioned earlier, centrifugal water pumps offer a great price-value ratio and can move a wide variety of liquids with properties similar to water; this makes centrifugal pumps an appealing choice for plenty of industrial applications. Some of the most common industrial uses for centrifugal pumps include filling and draining tanks and water reservoirs, air conditioning systems, high-pressure washing systems, water pressurization in firefighting systems, moving pool water, and cooling towers.
Are Centrifugal Pumps More Efficient than Positive Displacement Pumps?
A water pump’s efficiency will depend on its application and the results you expect to obtain. If you are deciding between centrifugal water pumps and positive displacement pumps, centrifugal pumps are excellent at moving liquids with low viscosity and chemical properties similar to water, while positive displacement pumps are good at handling liquids with high viscosity.
What Causes Centrifugal Water Pumps to Fail?
Although centrifugal water pumps can be highly efficient devices, it is vital to remember that there is the possibility of failure in their functioning. Below, you will find some of the most common issues that cause centrifugal water pumps to fail and how to know if your pump is failing:
- The motor does not start.
- The water pump works but does not supply enough water.
- Insufficient pressure.
- The motor works intermittently or overheats.
- There is leakage between the body of the pump and the motor.
- Abnormal noise.
In the event of any of these issues, get in touch with a specialized water pump professional to identify the problem’s cause and offer appropriate solutions.
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