Advantages and Disadvantages of Peripheral Pumps

A peripheral pump is an impeller that transfers large amounts of energy from a fluid to a casing. It is also known as a regenerative pump or turbine pump. Peripheral pumps are used in a variety of applications, including water filtration, pressurization systems and boosting. The impeller is composed of a large number of small radial vanes on the outside edge.

These types of pumps are ideal for small scale solutions. They are compact and usually come with self-priming capabilities. Some examples of applications include jetting, water filtration, water pressure boosting and hydro cyclone feed.

However, peripheral pumps are not recommended for high flow rates. Compared with centrifugal pumps, they cannot generate as much flow. In addition, their efficiency is lower, and they are noisier when operating. This is mainly due to the large number of vortices, which transfer more energy. Because of this, they require narrow column widths. Also, a smaller turbine is required for peripheral pumps.

Despite their limitations, peripheral pumps are able to provide very high pressure at low flow rates. For this reason, they are often used in situations where small centrifugal pumps are not able to meet the requirements.

Although peripheral pumps are generally inexpensive to purchase, their efficiency is slightly lower than that of radial pumps. Moreover, they require a narrow casing to allow gas to pass through. Nevertheless, a peripheral pump can be used to pump a wide range of liquids and gases, including contaminated liquids.

As with centrifugal pumps, the output pressure of a peripheral pump is greatly dependent on the input pressure. This means that it is important to ensure that the pump is full of water. Ideally, the fluid should be free of air and solids, as these can clog the impeller and prevent it from working efficiently. Nevertheless, a pump can work in other conditions as long as it is capable of forming vapor bubbles.

Another advantage of peripheral pumps is their ability to create very high discharge heads at relatively low flow rates. This is an important factor for pressure-sensitive systems, as the output pressure increases with the increase in flow.

Peripheral pumps also feature a high degree of self-priming capability. Their axial thrust is also reduced compared to radial pumps. Additionally, they have a very narrow clearance between the impeller and the pump casing. This prevents the bearings from undergoing damage from dry running, and allows the pump to continue running without noticeable disruptions.

Although a peripheral pump can offer a higher flow rate than a radial pump, it is not able to generate as much pressure as a centrifugal pump. However, a high head is possible with a peripheral pump, as the impeller turns close to the volute of the pump.

Although a peripheral pump can be used for a number of applications, it is best suited for applications where high head and low flow rates are necessary. Examples of such applications are sewage and pressure boosting, as well as water filtration and display fountains.