Centrifugal Pumps for Manufacturing, Sewage, Petroleum, and Water Systems

An Essential Part of Fluid Conveyance Systems

What's the Difference Between Volute and Diffuser Pumps?

At a glance, centrifugal pumps increase fluid velocity, pressure, or both. In the process of conveying the fluid through its machinery, the pumps provide passive—yet continuous—control of system pressure or velocity. The vast majority of pumps come in one of two types—volute, a casing with conical, converging grooves and a spinning impeller that guides fluid towards its outlet; or diffuser (or ‘turbine’) pumps, which bear a similar design but also surround the impeller itself with an additional (and unmoving) grooved casing, which increases pressure and reduces flow speed. At Archer Separation, we put our decades of experience toward providing the best centrifugal pump solutions for your system.

Though similar technologies have existed since the Renaissance, modern pumps have the advantage of motorized impellers; fluids in the system travel through the impeller's “eye” and are guided out the pump's casing by aid of the vanes. Because the rotating impeller is motorized, this flow and resulting pressure can be controlled to suit both the fluid medium and the intended output. Though some designs are Radial (channeling fluid outwards around the impeller) and others Axial (upward motion of the fluid flowing towards the impeller), the fundamental process is the same: pressurizing and/or affecting velocity in a fluid system.

What applications are centrifugal pumps suited for? Which pump do I need?

Centrifugal pumps are used in an enormous variety of processes, both industrial and domestic:

Food, beverage and chemical manufacturing

Manufacturing operations often require substantial amounts of water, where a consistent flow is crucial but pressure remains low. In these scenarios, a single volute pump is typically sufficient, as volute pumps excel at handling large flow volumes with lower pressure. For boiler feedwater applications, however, it's common to use multiple pumps in sequence to ensure reliable energy transfer.

Industrial oil and gas

The head ratio to shut-off curves of diffuser pumps, combined with their slower and steadier flow rates, make them ideal for applications in the petroleum industry. These pumps often feature an increased number of diffuser vanes, and some designs incorporate holes in the impeller to prevent air blockage from the froth used in mineral separation.

Archer Separation provides remote monitoring services to ensure your system always runs at its absolute best.

Residential water supply (including fire prevention)

Residences, municipalities and safety systems all call for water to run taps, flow through power generators, and be on-call for emergency anti-fire systems. Any system requiring available water is applying centrifugal pumps to do so. Whether or not these services call for differing quantities of volute or diffuser pumps varies by application.

Sewage treatment and disposal

Centrifugal pumps the most common equipment used for pumping sewage. Standard models can handle up to 5% solid materials, while specialized ones can manage up to 10%. Since the impeller creates suction, these pumps require less power to move wastewater. Their reliability, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness make centrifugal pumps a trusted option for sewage and slurry treatment.

Where would I use a volute pump?

Volute pump casings are ideal for handling large flows of low-pressure liquids. They are commonly used in water injection systems, flow management, and power generation, as well as in various manufacturing processes. These pumps prioritize water availability and consistency, making them a reliable choice for applications where pressure is less of a concern.

When would I use a diffuser pump?

Diffuser pumps are usually more specialized and a bit more expensive than volute pumps because they have extra parts and require more precise machining. They work well in low-flow systems with high pressures, like in oil refining, where air is often added to enhance separation. The casings of diffuser pumps can be adjusted for specific tasks, and they are often used in groups. These features help reduce strain on the pumps, giving them a longer lifespan in their applications.

In essence, both residential and industrial centrifugal pump applications include the vast majority of systems that require constant pressurized liquid flow; it goes without saying this applies to almost every water system from sprinklers, generators, boilers, refineries, factories and water treatment plants!

Centrifugal pumps are a crucial component of these water systems, and Archer Separation is prepared to both supply these pumps and provide the guidance to make the most of them.