Pumps 101 — Centrifugal
The high-flow workhorse for thin liquids. Efficient and simple for water, brine, and CIP — but not the choice for viscous or shear-sensitive product.
The Idea
A centrifugal pump uses a spinning impeller to add energy to the liquid. Product enters at the center of the impeller, is flung outward by the rotating vanes, and leaves at higher velocity and pressure. It is the most common pump type in the world because it is simple, efficient, and inexpensive for the right duty.
That right duty is thin, free-flowing liquid at high flow rates. Centrifugal pumps excel at moving water, brine, and cleaning solutions, and at circulating product through tanks and heat exchangers. Their flow varies with the pressure they work against, so each pump is sized to a specific operating point.
They are less suited to viscous or shear-sensitive product, where efficiency drops and the impeller can damage delicate product. A standard centrifugal is not self-priming, though liquid-ring variants are built specifically for clean-in-place return and for handling entrained air.
Best Uses
We carry other pump types too, so here's the real fit rather than a sales pitch.
On the Job
What We Stock
The centrifugal pumps in our lineup built for clean, hygienic service.
Related: Positive Displacement Pumps → | Sanitary Certifications → | Seafood Processing →
Questions Worth Asking
Can a centrifugal pump handle viscous product?
Efficiency falls off quickly as viscosity rises, so for thick product a positive displacement pump is usually the better choice. Centrifugals are at their best with thin, free-flowing liquids.
What is a liquid-ring pump used for?
Liquid-ring centrifugals are built to handle entrained air and are commonly used for clean-in-place return, where the returning fluid is a mix of liquid and air.
Are centrifugal pumps self-priming?
A standard centrifugal is not self-priming and needs a flooded suction. Liquid-ring and specially designed self-priming variants are the exception.
Tell us your flow, head, and fluid and we'll size a centrifugal, or flag it if a different pump would serve you better.
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