Pumps seem easy to overlook, appearing more as a background tool to an industry than a necessity. However, they are an important backbone piece in numerous trades. They serve multiple functions depending on the business, responsible for moving both fluids and gases and presenting flexibility in what operates them, like electricity or wind power. Here are the most common kinds of pumps available and how they work.
Positive Displacement Pumps
This kind of pump is used for moving liquids via a balanced pressure system. This includes hydraulic pumps, which can be broken up into categories of piston pumps, vane pumps and gear pumps. Due to its use of pressure, a pressure regulator is necessary to maintain that balance, and these can be found by specific manufacturers, like arrow regulators.
Impulse Pump
An impulse pump uses gas found in a liquid to create its pressure. The gas is trapped and continues to build pressure the longer it sits. Upon its release, the liquid shoots up. A hydraulic ram, pulser pump and airlift pump all fall into this category of pump.
Velocity Pump
A velocity pump relies on the flow of fluid to increase velocity and create energy. In turn, that energy is converted into pressure once the velocity is again reduced. A unique trait of this pump is that it does not require a valve to be opened and closed to create pressure, which is required for a positive displacement pump.
Steam Pump
This pump relies on a steam engine and piston to create a buildup of pressure. This pump is mainly historical, but recent interest in small solar steam pumps has caused it to resurface somewhat.
Evolving technology has transformed pumps numerous times over the years, adapting to as many possible energy sources as possible. Though they might not seem impressive to the unassuming eye, they are engineering feats that play major roles in commerce today.