What is a centrifugal pump?

A centrifugal pump is a mechanical device designed to move a fluid by means of the transfer of rotational energy from one or more driven rotors, called impellers. Fluid enters the rapidly rotating impeller along its axis and is cast out by centrifugal force along its circumference through the impeller’s vane tips. The action of the impeller increases the fluid’s velocity and pressure and also directs it towards the pump outlet. The pump casing is specially designed to constrict the fluid from the pump inlet, direct it into the impeller and then slow and control the fluid before discharge.

How does a centrifugal pump work?

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