Ultra-high Pressure Pumps for

Water-jet cutting

Introduction
Water-jet cutting the process
Requirements for the pumps for
water-jet cutting process
Types of Pumps used

Intensifier pumps
Crank type pumps

Comparison
Water-jet Pulsation

Water Jet Cutting

Utilizes Ultrahigh pressure water to cut
almost all types of materials
Water pressure in range of 1500 to 4000
bar
Water speed out of the nozzle in range of
800 to 1000 m/s
For harder materials like steel and titanium
abrasive material added
Materials cut paper, plastic, food,
elastomers, steel, tungsten etc.

Water-jet cutting setup

Requirements Of Pumps
High pressure capacity
Centrifugal and Positive displacement
pumps like Gear, Screw and Vane pump
not useful
Water compressibility 12% at 4000 bar
Pumps Used are Plunger type pumps

Positive single line sealing

Longer stroke

Plunger type pump

Intensifier Pump
Plunger type Pump
Hydraulically Actuated
Hydraulic Intensification Principle
Slow Speed 0.15 m/sec
Higher pressures up to and over 4000 bar
Lower efficiencies 70%
Comparatively Expensive
Complicated to repair and maintain

Intensifier Pump

Crank Type Pumps

Mechanically actuated Crank Mechanism
No need of hydraulic system
High speed 0.75 m/sec
Lower Pressures up to 3500 bar
Higher efficiency 95%
Comparatively steady flow 3 cylinders
Comparatively Cheaper
Easy to repair and maintain

Crank Type Pump

Comparison
Point of
comparison

Intensifier
Pumps

Crank
Pumps

Efficiency
about 70%
About 95%
Pump size
Larger
Smaller
Parts cost
Higher
Lower
Pressure Ripple
High
Lower
Pressure control
Faster
Slower
Maintenance ease
Complicated
Simple
Noise
High
Low
Pump Life
Long
Comparable
Seal Life
Longer
Short
Pressure Range
up to and above up to 4000 bar
4000 bar

Output Flow

Pulsation of Water-jet
Breaking up of continuous water jet
into small Packets of water
Pressure of steady jet - P 1 V 2
s
o
2
Water hammer Pressure -

Po Vo C o

Magnification - M Po
Ps

Pulsation of water-jet

Conclusion
Pumps used in water jet cutting process are
plunger type pumps.
Other types of pumps are not suitable for such
ultrahigh pressure applications.
Of the two types intensifier pumps are widely
used for their longer life and good pressure
response.
But advancements in material sciences has lead
to wider use of crank pumps.
Water pulsation can be used to produce higher
cutting forces at much lower water pressures.