4 Practical Centrifugal Pumps
1.2 Pump types
Pumps can be classified on various bases. For example, a typical classification of rotating
shaft (kinetic) pumps is given in Appendix.
Pumps based on their principle of operation are primarily classified into:
• Positive displacement pumps (reciprocating, rotary pumps)
• Roto-dynamic pumps (centrifugal pumps)
• Others.
1.2.1 Positive displacement pumps
Positive displacement pumps, which lift a given volume for each cycle of operation, can
be divided into two main classes, reciprocating and rotary.
Reciprocating pumps include piston, plunger, and diaphragm types. The rotary pumps
include gear, lobe, screw, vane, regenerative (peripheral), and progressive cavity pumps.
1.2.2 Roto-dynamic pumps ...