Welcome back to another topic in our pump beginner series. Today, we’ll focus on the working of hydraulic pumps mechanism, principle, types and more.
At Sintech, we have been developing and manufacturing industrial pumps for three decades. We specialize in all types of industrial pumps – centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps, submersible pumps and more for various industries. We also offer custom-made pumps to suit the specific needs of each our clients. We have a wide customer base in India as well as overseas in Europe, America, Africa, Latin America, Middle-East and Asia.
With years of experience in the industry, we know the ins-and-outs of pump hydraulics. How it works, types, uses, and more. Continue reading to decipher the working of hydraulic pumps.
What is a Hydraulic Pump?
The basic working of a hydraulic pump mechanical energy conversion to hydraulic energy. A hydraulic pump has two main functions:
First, it creates a mechanical action that produces a vacuum at the inlet. This allows the outside pressure to force liquid from the storage into the pump’s inlet.
Second, this mechanical action forces the liquid inside the pump to the outlet.
A hydraulic pump produces flow of liquid. It doesn’t generate extra pressure. The pressure produced in the pump is proportional to the fluid flow. To give an example, the fluid pressure at the outlet is nil for a pump that is not connected to a load. On the other hand, for a pump that is running, the pressure is proportional to the load required to overcome the resistance.
Classification of Hydraulic Pump
Hydraulic pumps are either positive displacement pumps or non-positive displacement pumps. Let’s take a closer look at both these categories of pumps.
What is a non-positive displacement pump and how does it work
A non-positive displacement pump is one that generates a continuous flow. However, the output of this pump varies depending on the pressure generated. The two major types of non-positive displacement pumps are:
Centrifugal pumps
Propeller pumps
If the outlet of a non-positive displacement pump is blocked, the pressure increases in the pump causing the output to drop down to zero. Though the pumping element keeps moving, the flow terminates due to the slippage inside the pump.
In a positive displacement pump, the slippage is minimal compared to the flow of the pump. If the outlet of the pump is blocked, the pressure increases instantaneously inside the pump. This causes the pump’s prime mover to fail or the drive shaft to break.
What is a positive displacement pump and how does it work?
A key characteristic of a positive displacement pump is that it delivers the same amount of liquid for each pump rotation. This pump is able to produce a constant flow during each cycle because of the close tolerance between the pump case and the pumping element. The amount of liquid that falls between the pumping element and the case is negligible compared to the maximum possible output.
The delivery remains the same, irrespective of the changes in pressure. If you notice significant fluid slippage in a positive displacement pump, it indicates that the pump is not operating as it should and requires immediate repair or replacement.
Positive displacement pumps can be further classified into two categories:
Fixed Displacement Pumps – The output of a fixed displacement pump remains the same during each cycle.
Variable Displacement Pump – As the name implies, the variable displacement pump’s output can be altered by changing the dimensions of the displacement chamber.
Positive displacement pumps are also known as hydrostatic pumps. Non-positive displacement pumps are also referred to as hydrodynamic pumps. The term hydrostatic means that the energy conversion (from mechanical to hydraulic) occurs at low velocity and quantity. In a hydrodynamic pump, the liquid velocity is large. Also, the output pressure depends on the liquid velocity.
Sintech Pumping Systems
At Sintech, we develop and manufacture a wide range of industrial pumps to suit the needs of each of our clients. We manufacture and supply pumps for various applications at the best efficiency and lowest cost.
Some of our popular pump categories include:
Centrifugal pumps
Impeller pumps
Progressive cavity pumps
Submersible pumps
Peristaltic pumps
Lobe pumps and more
Get in touch with our team to find the right pump for your specific needs. For more info on our pumps and costs, drop a mail at sales@sintech.com.