Pump used are mainly fall into two categories, one is displacement and other is centrifugal.

The
two divisions are further classified into different pumps having different applications like gear
pump which are mainly used for pumping of oil. In this article you will get to know more about the
pumps and their application.


Types of pumps

Pumps are mainly classified in two broad classes:

1)
Displacement
. The liquid or gas is displaced from the suction to the discharge by the mechanical variations of the
volume of chambers. They can be subdivided in two classes:
a) Reciprocating pump
In this a plunger or piston is mechanically reciprocated in a liquid cylinder.
b) Rotary pumps
In this the liquid is forced through the pump cylinder or casing by means of screw or gears.
2)
Centrifugal
: flow through the pump is induced by the centrifugal force imparted to the liquid by the rotation of an
impeller or impellers


General applications

Reciprocating displacement pumps are the most suitable and efficient for dealing with small
volumes and high differential pressure, and can handle any required viscosity. Rotary positive-
displacement machines are suitable for the intermediate range of volumes, differential pressures and
viscosities. This type of unit is covered by a wide range of designs, of which the gear and the screw
types are most commonly used, particularly for more viscous liquids as oils. Centrifugal pumps find
their widest application for dealing with large volumes with medium to-low heads and viscosities, the
circulating pump is an example. Centrifugal or radial flow pumps give regular delivery, and are quiet in
operation. Axial-flow and semi axial flow rotary pumps are used frequently used for large volumes and
low heads, as they are simple, occupy little space and are low in capital cost. Vertical pumps are in
general use because the floor area is always more important than the vertical are.

Reciprocating and rotary displacement pumps are self-priming and can deal with liquid from a level
below the pump. Centrifugal units require to be primed if the liquid level is below the pump. Small
integral reciprocating displacement priming pumps are sometimes provided, but there is a wider use
of water ring pumps for priming purposes, because of their simplicity. Various other means, such as
internal recirculation, steam ejectors are also used in appropriate classes.


Forms of drive

The size and class of the vessel and the main propulsion machinery must be considered before
deciding on the type of pump drive. The alternatives available are:
a) A.C motor driven pumps
b) D.C motor driven pumps
c) Turbine driven pumps
d) Direct acting steam reciprocating pumps
e) High-speed forced lubrication steam-engine-driven pumps
f) Diesel-driven pumps
Any comparison between the different methods of driving should take into consideration the efficiency
of the power generation and transmission from the fuel pumping poor, ease of maintenance, the fuel
cost, the capital cost, flexibility, value of independent operation and the supervision required. It will be
appreciated that factors vary widely and each caser requires individual consideration.

Few engine rooms are completely fitted out with steam driven pumps. The usual arrangement is to
use electrically driven units- either A.C or D.C depending on the electrical installation. The only real
domain of the steam driven pump is for cargo pumping duties abroad tankers and for boiler feeding
duties.
The former application arises from safety considerations and the letter in order to ensure feed to a
highly rated water tube boiler in the event of a failure of electricity supply. It is common to find an
electrically driven main feed pump installed with a turbine-driven stand by unit, the turbine being
arranged for automatic start up in the event of failure of electrically driven pump. Main engine-driven
lubricating oil and cooling water pumps have been favored in the past but are now rarely encountered
apart from few rotary pumps fitted to auxiliary diesel engines, which are usually chain driven from the
crankshaft. All diesel engines have the engine driven fuel pumps but this is a special pumping
application. When pumps are driven by D.C electric motors, the pump output can be controlled by
varying the pump speed. In the case of a.c installations, however, thus is not so easy to achieve and it
is usual in such cases to find pump recirculation and cooler by-pass valves arranged to afford a
measure of control. Some large pumps, notably main circulating pumps, have-wound motors to give a
choice of two speeds-say two thirds and full speed.