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Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
Contributed by: PumpScout Staff
There are lots of pump types available, but which one is right for you? Understanding which pump type is right for your application is critical to reduce costs
and increase the life of your pump and system. We've worked with leading pump experts to put together this comprehensive guide to the most popular pump
types. The individual pump types are listed in the left column and are grouped by either centrifugal pumps or positive displacement pumps.
This content is a copywrite of PumpScout.com and can not be copied or reproduced. If you would like to share this valuable information with others, please
consider linking to this page.
Pump Type
Basic Description
Centrifugal
Pumps
ANSI Process
Pumps
processing
applications. It
includes end suction,
horizontal split case,
vertical turbine, and
other types.
Booster Pumps
Key Features
Applications
Used
Recommended
Media (Fluid)
Advantages
One or more
impellers. Casing is
volute or diffuser
type. Normally electric
motor driven, but
other drive types
available.
Transfer and
process
applications in
chemical plants,
pulp and paper
mills, refineries,
food processing
plants, and general
services in
manufacturing
plants of all types.
Dimensional
standardization
allow s the
complete piping,
foundation, and
building design to
Water and relatively
be completed
thin liquids (w on't
before the pump
pump thicker oils).
supplier is chosen.
Can pump liquids
Also, this permits
w ith or w ithout solids the pump brand to
if proper impeller type be sw itched in the
is chosen. Available
field w ithout
in alloys for
having to re-pipe
corrosive services.
or modify the
motor, coupling, or
bedplate. This
pump type has
more material
options than other
types.
Considered an end
suction pump, frame
mounted. Normally
supplied w ith open
impellers.
Dimensionally
standard sizes
supplied by all
manufacturers.
Available in a w ide
variety of alloys and
non-metals for many
corrosive services.
Hydrocarbon
transfer and
processing
services in
types of
refineries, pipelines, hydrocarbons.
and hydrocarbon
processing plants.
Potable w ater
distribution,
irrigation booster,
cooling w ater
booster, process
booster service
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Flow
Rate
Ranges
5 - 200,000
gpm
--------
Total Head
(Pressure)
Ranges
10 - 7,500 ft
--------
19 757,080 lpm
3 - 2,286 m
10 - 5,000
gpm
50 - 750 ft
--------
--------
38 18,927 lpm
22 - 325 psi
10 - 10,000
gpm
--------
38 - 37,854
lpm
22 - 3251 psi
0.125 5,000 hp
1 - 250 hp
50 - 7,500 ft
--------
5,000 200,000
gpm
Horse
Power
Ranges
1 - 5,000
hp
10 - 30 ft
--------
10 - 1,500
hp
4 - 13 psi
5 - 10,000
gpm
200 - 7,500 ft
--------
--------
19 - 37,854
lpm
87 - 3,251 psi
1 - 5,000
hp
1/6
8/8/13
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
of pump.
Canned Motor
Pumps
Chopper Pumps
Circulator Pumps
Cryogenic Pumps
Drum Pumps
services.
other services.
Pumping chemicals,
hydrocarbons, or
other liquids that
are difficult to seal,
or w here the
consequences of
leakage are
serious. Pumping
heat transfer fluids
w hich are high
temperature or
w hich are prone to
costly evaporative
losses w ith
traditional
mechanical seals.
Pump impeller
contains heavy duty
grinding teeth, and
many have
replaceable w ear
plates in the casing,
to allow chopping of
solids as the pump
operates.
Liquids containing
solids and stringy
material that w ould
otherw ise be difficult
to pump.
Able to pump
liquids containing
long stringy
materials or other
solids that w ould
plug up in other
pump types.
Circulator pumps
are used in HVAC
systems in buildings
(chilled w ater
circulation, hot
w ater circulation,
potable w ater
circulation). Also
circulation of
cooling w ater in
plants.
In-line design
saves on floor
space.
Special materials,
seals, and
clearances to tolerate
very low
temperatures.
Low temperature
applications in
process industries,
LNG supply, and
semiconductor
manufacturing.
Pumping small
quantities of liquids
out of 55 gallon
drums and larger
carboys.
Very practical
w ay to pump small
amounts of
various fluids that
are stored in
drums or carboys.
Horizontal shaft,
single impeller (see
multi-stage category
for pumps w ith more
impellers). Various
impeller types for
clean and dirty
services, many
material options
Any transfer or
circulation of liquid.
Handles clean or
dirty liquids, and
liquids w ith low
viscosity. Liquid
should not contain
air or vapors.
Water
Meets
requirements of
UL/FM for fire
fighting pumps.
Suppliers often
include complete
system, including
engine and
controls.
Circulator pumps is
generally a pump w ith
in-line suction and
discharge flanges.
Fire Pumps
application.
Fire fighting
services of all
types, both UL/FM
listed and unlisted.
Residential
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Eliminates the
mechanical seal,
one of the largest
components of
pump maintenance
cost. Plus, the
pump is assured to
be leak-free.
5 - 1,500
gpm
25 - 400 ft
--------
--------
19 - 5,678
lpm
11 - 173 psi
50 - 10,000
gpm
15 - 200 ft
--------
--------
7 - 87 psi
5 - 750 gpm
-------19 - 2,839
0.5 - 300
hp
1 - 500 hp
20 - 180 ft
--------
1 - 50 hp
9 - 78 psi
lpm
This type of
sew age pump
allow s smaller
diameter sew age
lines than typical
gravity drain
sew ers. Also, the
5 - 1,000
gpm
25 - 1,000 ft
--------
--------
19 - 3,785
lpm
11 - 434 psi
0.5 - 70
gpm
-------2 - 265 lpm
0.5 - 500
hp
20 - 75 ft
--------
0.25 - 1 hp
9 - 33 psi
5 - 7,000
gpm
10 - 750 ft
--------
--------
19 - 26,498
lpm
4 - 325 psi
20 - 5,000
gpm
100 - 1,200 ft
--------
--------
76 - 18,927
lpm
43 - 520 psi
5 - 50 gpm
50 - 150 ft
0.125 250 hp
10 - 800
hp
2/6
8/8/13
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
Grinder Pumps
Residential
pressure sew er
systems.
Double suction
impeller gives better
NPSH and low er axial
thrust. Casing is
normally double
volute, to reduce
radial bearing loads.
Pump has tw o seals,
both sealing suction
pressure.
--------
--------
19 - 189 lpm
22 - 65 psi
0.5 - 5 hp
Horizontal Split
Case Pumps
Water
Low er cost
domestic w ell
pump than
submersible.
Horizontal end
suction pump w ith
ejector either
mounted on the pump
(for shallow w ell
services), or located
dow n in the w ell.
Domestic w ater
w ells
Magnetic Drive
Pumps
Pumping chemicals,
hydrocarbons, or
other liquids that
are difficult to seal,
or w here the
consequences of
leakage are
serious. Pumping
heat transfer fluids
w hich are high
temperature or
w hich are prone to
costly evaporative
losses w ith
traditional
mechanical seals.
Multistage Pumps
Higher pressure
services such as
boiler feed w ater,
condensate,
pipelines, reverse
osmosis, and
decaling.
Regererative turbine
pumps are not
considered a true
centrifugal, but w orks
on the same kinetic
principal as a
centrifugal
pump.Instead of an
impeller w ith vanes,
the turbine impeller
has blades similar to
Jet Pumps
Regenerative
Turbine Pumps
turbines, w hich
generate the head.
Normally it is end
suction, single stage,
though multi-stage
versions are available.
Slurry Pumps
Slurry pump is a
general term for a
pump that handles an
abrasive slurry. They
may be considered an
end suction pump,
vertical column pump,
or submersible pump.
pump must be
protected against
possibly operating
against closed valve.
Pumps are
constructed either of
high nickel cast iron
(w hite iron) to
w ithstand the
abrasive w ear of
slurries, or the pump
is lined w ith rubber
for more round-edged
slurries. Pumps often
have replaceable
w ear plates on one
Eliminates the
mechanical seal,
one of the largest
components of
pump maintenance
cost. Plus, the
pump is assured to
be leak-free.
Very compact
pump for low flow ,
high head
applications. This
may result in
space savings and
reduced cost for
small boiler feed
pumps. This pump
type handles
Mining, minerals
processing,
transportation of
slurries for
processing, and
dredging. Also
pumps used in
slurry applications
in coal fired pow er
plants, steel mills,
Ordinary pumps
w ouldn't w ithstand
the abrasive w ear
that slurries cause
on pump parts.
Slurry pumps are
designed to handle
abrasive slurries
and give pumps
the longest life
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100 100,000
gpm
-------379 378,540 lpm
1 - 70 gpm
50 - 1,500 ft
--------
3 - 5,000
hp
22 - 650 psi
20 - 200 ft
--------
--------
4 - 265 lpm
9 - 87 psi
5 - 4,000
gpm
25 - 1,000 ft
--------
--------
19 - 15,142
lpm
11 - 434 psi
5 - 10,000
gpm
200 - 7,500 ft
--------
--------
19 - 37,854
lpm
87 - 3,251 psi
1 - 200 gpm
50 - 1,200 ft
--------
--------
4 - 757 lpm
22 - 520 psi
10 - 30,000
gpm
30 - 250 ft
--------
--------
38 113,560 lpm
13 - 108 psi
0.5 - 5 hp
0.5 - 300
hp
1 - 5,000
hp
0.5 - 75 hp
1 - 2000
hp
3/6
8/8/13
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
w ear plates on one
or both sides of the
impeller.
Self-Priming
Pumps
Self-Priming pumps
are a type of
centrifugal that can be
located above the
suction reservoir
w ithout an external
priming system. End
suction configuration,
but enlarged case to
support priming.
Submersible
Pumps
Submersible pumps
involve a submersible
motor w ith a close
coupled to single
stage pump that
allow s the entire
assembly to operated
submerged.
Submerged motor,
either air-filled or oilfilled. Different
impellers are
designed to
accommodate solids
of various sizes.
Sump pump
services, effluent
and sew age
services ranging in
size from products
for homes to main
sew age treatment
plants.
Eliminates column
shaft and bearings
found in column
sump pump. More
compact, reduced
sump installation
cost. May be
located in areas
prone to flooding.
Trash Pumps
Open or non-clog
enclosed impellers,
designed to pass
rocks and other
debris. Pumps may be
self-priming. Seals
usually have
hardened faces.
Dew atering
construction sites,
mines, and utility
pits.
Dirty w ater
containing mud,
rocks, stone, and
other debris.
Designed to pump
the solids and
abrasives found in
many dew atering
applications.
Various impeller
types for clean and
dirty services. Sleeve
bearings in the
column pipe need to
be lubricated by the
sump w ater, or
externally w ith w ater
or grease.
Sump pump
services.
bearings in pump
diffuser bow ls are
lubricated by liquid
pumped. Vertical high
thrust motor mounted
on top for product
lubricated lineshaft
bearings, or
submersible motor
mounted below pump
to eliminate lineshaft
and lineshaft
bearings.
A type of vertical
turbine pump designed
especially for use in a
drilled bore-hole w ell.
Also, for low er flow
rates refer to jet pump
type above.
Vertical Sump
Pumps
Vertical Turbine
Pumps
Well Pumps
Positive
Displacement
Pumps
A positive
displacement (PD)
pump is a general
name for a pump type
that does not have
impellers, but rather
relies on rotating or
reciprocating parts to
directly push the liquid
in an enclosed volume,
until enough pressure
is built up to move the
liquid into the
discharge system.
This includes many
5 - 7,000
gpm
10 - 350 ft
--------
--------
19 - 26,498
lpm
4 - 152 psi
5 - 7,500
gpm
10 - 200 ft
--------
........
19 - 28,391
lpm
4 - 87 psi
5 - 1,000
gpm
25 - 150 ft
........
--------
19 - 3,785
lpm
11 - 65 psi
5 - 7,500
gpm
15 - 150 ft
--------
--------
19 - 28,391
lpm
7 - 65 psi
1 - 150 hp
0.25 - 250
hp
0.25 - 50
hp
0.5 - 250
hp
Only practical w ay
Irrigation, potable
w ater supply, plant
make-up w ater,
cooling w ater, fire
pumps, potable
w ater distribution,
booster pumps,
process pumps.
Irrigation, potable
w ater supply, plant
make-up w ater,
cooling w ater, fire
pumps, potable
w ater distribution
Pump w orks on
positive displacement
principal, either rotary
or reciprocating type.
See below for
features of specific
types.
All types of
services in many
industries w here
positive
displacement
pumps are favored
over centrifugal
pumps due to high
viscosity, presence
of fragile or shear
sensitive solids, or
need for low flow
and high pressure.
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to pump from a
deep w ell. Wide
flow and head
ranges. Low floor
space usage.
Immersed pump
eliminates priming.
Canned pump
version excellent
for low NPSH
services
Only practical w ay
to pump from a
deep w ell. Wide
flow and head
ranges. Low floor
space usage.
Immersed pump
eliminates priming.
50 150,000
gpm
-------189 567,810 lpm
15 - 2,000 ft
-------7 - 867 psi
50 - 20,000
gpm
20 - 1,000 ft
--------
--------
9 - 434 psi
0.1 - 15,000
gpm
--------
10 - 100,000
psi
--------
.38 - 56,781
lpm
1 - 5,000
hp
1 - 3,000
hp
0.5 - 5,000
hp
.7 - 6,895 bar
4/6
8/8/13
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
This includes many
specific types for
specific applications,
as described below .
priming, and
several types are
sealless.
Can be used
w here no
electricity is
available, if
Many applications in
compressed air is
general plant
available. Available
service w here
Wide range of liquids, in a variety of
electricity isn't
including liquids
metal and nonavailable, or w here
containing solids, and metallic materials
the liquid being
corrosive liquids.
depending on the
pumped has high
fluid pumped. Able
solids content or
to pump liquids
high viscosity.
containing large
solids. Pump is
sealless and can
High pressure
discharge for
pumping concrete
long distances or up
high elevations.
Materials of
construction that can
handle the abrasive
aggregate.
Concrete pouring,
construction
projects.
Pump contains
reciprocating
diaphragm and inlet
and outlet check
valves.
Many applications in
general plant
service w here the
liquid being pumped
has high solids
content or high
viscosity.
Handles a w ide
range of liquids,
Wide range of liquids, including liquids
including liquids
containing solids.
containing solids, and Pump is sealless,
corrosive liquids.
and can run dry
w ithout damaging
the pump.
Flexible Impeller
Pumps
Gear Pumps
Accurate,
repeatable
volumetric flow
measurement.
Ability to easily
adjust the flow
rate by adjusting
stroke length or
speed.
AODD Pumps
0.25 - 300
gpm
10 - 125 psi
--------
--------
1 - 1,136
lpm
.7 - 9 bar
0.25 - 30
hp
run dry.
Concrete Pump
Diaphragm Pumps
Lobe Pumps
Available in sanitary
options for food,
beverage,
pharmaceutical, and
biotech
applications.
Best w ay to move
concrete long
distances and up
heights during
pour.
10 - 1,000
gpm
25 - 1,000 psi
--------
--------
38 - 3,785
lpm
2 - 69 bar
1 - 1,800
gpm
--------
25 - 15,000
psi
--------
4 - 6,814
lpm
2 - 1,034 bar
5 - 150 gpm
10 - 60 psi
--------
--------
19 - 568 lpm
.7 - 4 bar
1 - 1,500
gpm
10 - 2,500 psi
--------
--------
4 - 5,678
lpm
.7 - 138 bar
25 - 3,000
gpm
10 - 500
hp
0.5 - 2,000
hp
0.25 - 10
hp
0.5 - 2,000
hp
50 - 450 psi
--------
--------
95 - 11,356
lpm
3 - 31 bar
1 - 500 hp
Pump is typically a
diaphragm style,
though older designs
are plunger type.
Metering Pumps
Diaphragm is driven
by solenoid,
mechanical actuation,
or hydraulic
actuation. Pump
includes inlet and
outlet check valves.
Normally contains
stroke length
Used to meter or
dose very low flow
rates w ith high
accuracy. Most
common application
is chemical
treatment of w ater
in boilers, cooling
tow ers, potable
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.01 - 20
gpm
-------.038 - 76
lpm
10 - 30,000
psi
--------
0.125 - 60
hp
.7 - 2,068 bar
5/6
8/8/13
Pump Types Guide - Find the right pump for the job
rather than per
minute). Flow rate is
adjustable.
stroke length
adjustment to vary
flow rate, and some
pumps can also
control flow rate w ith
speed control.
speed.
Peristaltic pumps or
hose pumps are a
type of rotary positive
displacement pump
that has a roller or
shoe that squeezes a
tube or hose as it
rotates. The
squeezing action
moves the liquid along
the tube.
Includes replaceable
hose that must be
compatible w ith the
pumped liquid. This
hose is typically able
to be replaced w hen
w orn.
Used in oil
production, in w ash
dow n services,
pressure w ashing,
car w ashes,
reverse osmosis,
and other
applications w here
high pressure is
needed.
Used in oil
production, in w ash
dow n services,
pressure w ashing,
car w ashes,
reverse osmosis,
and other
applications w here
high pressure is
needed.
Progressive Cavity
Pumps
Progressive cavity
pumps are a type of
rotary positive
displament pump that
has a single-threaded
helically shaped rotor
turning inside of a
double-threaded
helically shaped
rubber stator. This
produces a
progressing cavity
that moves the liquid
through the pump and
pressurizes it.
Rotor is an
interference fit inside
the electrometric
stator to minimize
leakage (slip).
Starting torque may
be higher than
running torque
because of this.
Used to pump
polymers and
dew atered sludge
in sew age
treatment
applications, and in
pumping liquids
w hich are viscous
or contain solids in
industrial plants
such as pulp mills,
petrochemical, and
chemical plants.
Screw Pumps
Tw o screw pumps
make use of timing
gears so that
meshing screw s
don't drive each
other. Triple screw
types have one
screw driving the
other tw o and don't
include timing gears.
Fuel transfer,
elevators, and other
applications
requiring relatively
high flow rates of
viscous liquids.
An alternative to a
gear pump for
transferring oils and
other viscous
liquids. Also good
for thinner liquids.
Peristaltic Pumps
(Hose Pump)
Piston Pumps
Plunger Pumps
Vane Pumps
May be better
alternative than
plunger pump in
certain
applications, such
as abrasive
liquids. Slow er
speeds may mean
less maintenance.
Best w ay to
achieve very high
pressures w hen
pumping.
Sometimes
considered the
pump of last
resort, as it w ill
handle difficult
liquids w hich are
viscous or contain
solids and w hich
other pump types
cannot
accommodate.
0.2 - 200
gpm
10 - 250 psi
--------
--------
.78 - 757
lpm
.7 - 17 bar
5 - 700 gpm
-------19 - 2,650
lpm
5 - 1,200
gpm
........
19 - 4,543
lpm
10 - 2,400
gpm
50 - 5,000 psi
--------
1 - 500 hp
3 - 345 bar
50 - 100,000
psi
........
1 - 5,000
hp
3 - 6,895 bar
50 - 2,000 psi
--------
--------
38 - 9,085
lpm
3 - 138 bar
50 - 15,000
gpm
50 - 4,500 psi
--------
--------
3 - 310 bar
5 - 2,500
gpm
0.125 - 40
hp
1 - 500 hp
5 - 5,000
hp
20 - 200 psi
--------
--------
19 - 9,464
lpm
1 - 14 bar
1 - 300 hp
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