Centrifugal Pumps

Centrifugal Pumps are the most common type of process pump today and the design offers multiple advantages.

• Design simplicity
• High efficiency
• Wide range of capacity and head
• Smooth/pulse less flow rate
• Ease of operation and maintenance
• Many different installation configurations available 

Centrifugal pumps are usually the preferred choice for applications that are pumping lower viscosity (thin) liquids and for systems that require high flow rates.

How do Centrifugal Pumps Operate?

Centrifugal pumps operate by using rotating impellers that are immersed in the fluid inside of a casing. The flow and pressure velocity of kinetic energy forces the fluid around the casing to the discharge outlet.  Liquids are moved at a higher velocity with faster impeller rotation, or larger diameter impellers. 

The impeller is the key component of a centrifugal pump. It consists of a series of curved vanes. These are normally located between two discs (an enclosed impeller). For fluids with entrained solids, an open or semi-open impeller (backed by a single disc) is preferred.

There are two basic designs of pump casing: volute and diffuser.  The purpose in both designs is to translate the fluid flow into a controlled discharge at pressure.

In a volute casing, the impeller is offset, effectively creating a curved funnel with an increasing cross-sectional area towards the pump outlet.  This design causes the fluid pressure to increase towards the outlet.  Volute cases are better suited to applications involving entrained solids or high viscosity fluids when it is advantageous to avoid the added constrictions of diffuser vanes.

In diffuser casing, the fluid pressure increases as fluid is expelled between a set of stationary vanes surrounding the impeller. Diffuser designs can be tailored for specific applications and can therefore be more efficient.

ITT Goulds Pumps – Industrial Centrifugal

• Multiple Pump Configurations for demanding industrial process needs
• Available in various metallurgies including iron, stainless steel, high alloy
• Conform to applicable standards from ANSI, ISO, and API.
• Capacities up to 225,000 gpm
• Heads up to 9,000′
• Temp ranges of -40°F to 850°F
• Pressures to 4,000 psig
• Edelmann is an ITT Goulds Pumps Authorized Service Center for Service and Repair

ITT Goulds 3196 i-FRAME Process Centrifugal Pump

Vaughn Centrifugal Chopper Pumps

• Chops incoming solids prior to pumping, protecting the pump from clogging and protecting downstream components
• Flush-less mechanical seal design eliminates the need for external flush water
• All wear components are cast steel and heat treated as standard for maximum wear resistance
• Alternate materials such as 316SS available
• Cutting blades at the impeller and mechanical seal are ideal for stringy solids and the toughest slurries
• Multiple Configurations – Vertical Wet Well, End Suction, Electric Submersible, Self-Priming, Dry Well
• Capacities to 10,000 gpm
• Heads up to 275′
• Up to 12″ Discharge ports

Vaughan Centrifugal Chopper Pump

• Hydraulically stable design at any point throughout the total head curve range with no wearing or damaging effect to the pump
• Smooth, pulsation-free flow
• Available in ductile iron, carbon steel, 316SS, CA6NM and CD4MCu
• Max Capacity: Up to 750 gpm
• Max Heads: Up to 5,200 ft.
• Max Pressures: Up to 2,250 psi
• Max Temperature to 550°F