Brochure
Outlet Impeller Inlet
1212
Outlet Impeller Inlet
Direction of rotation
1. Introduction to Centrifugal Pumps
1. Introduction to Centrifugal Pumps
In this chapter, we introduce the components in the centrifugal pump and
a range of the pump types produced by Grundfos. This chapter provides the
reader with a basic understanding of the principles of the centrifugal pump
and pump terminology.
The centrifugal pump is the most used pump type in the world. The principle
is simple, well-described and thoroughly tested, and the pump is robust, ef-
fective and relatively inexpensive to produce. There is a wide range of vari-
ations based on the principle of the centrifugal pump and consisting of the
same basic hydraulic parts. The majority of pumps produced by Grundfos
are centrifugal pumps.
1.1 Principle of the centrifugal pump
An increase in the fluid pressure from the pump inlet to its outlet is cre-
ated when the pump is in operation. This pressure dierence drives the fluid
through the system or plant.
The centrifugal pump creates an increase in pressure by transferring me-
chanical energy from the motor to the fluid through the rotating impeller.
The fluid flows from the inlet to the impeller centre and out along its blades.
The centrifugal force hereby increases the fluid velocity and consequently
also the kinetic energy is transformed to pressure. Figure 1.1 shows an ex-
ample of the fluid path through the centrifugal pump.
Figure 1.1: Fluid path through
the centrifugal pump.
Impeller
blade