The Dierences Between Centrifugal Pumps Vs.

Positive
Displacement Pumps
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The Dierences Between Centrifugal Pumps Vs. Positive Displacement Pumps

Across the industry, professionals are constantly working to develop and implement the latest in pump and valve
technology. Recently, EmpoweringPumps.com has been taking on the topics of sustainability and new
advancements. But for those who need a brush up on pump basics, we thought it would be a good time to
discuss the dierences between centrifugal and positive displacement pumps.
How do Centrifugal and Positive Displacement Pumps Work?
Nearly all pumps fall within these two categories, with centrifugal being the most common. However, positive
displacement pumps come in a wider variety such as gear, lobe, peristaltic, screw, and many other types of
pumps.
The most common type among centrifugal pump is the radial ow pump. These centrifugal pumps use a rotating
impeller to create a vacuum in order to move uid. The pumps impeller rotates within the housing and reduces
pressure at the inlet. This motion then drives uid to the outside of the pumps housing, which increases the
pressure enough to send it out the discharge.
There is also the axial ow centrifugal pump which uses a curved propeller-shaped impeller, whereas the
impeller on a radial ow centrifugal pump looks more like a fan. Axial ow pumps move uid by drawing uid into
their axis and using the impeller to send uid out on the other side of the pump.
Positive displacement pumps draw uid into a compartment at the inlet and move it to an outlet for discharge,
most typically using a rotary, reciprocating, or diaphragm method to move uid. The main dierence between
these types of pumps and centrifugal is that positive displacement pumps will move uid at the same speed
regardless of the pressure on the inlet end and centrifugal pumps will not.
Which Pumps Are Used in The Upstream Oil and Gas Industry?
Both of these types of pumps are essential components in the oil and gas industry. They are commonly used as

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part of tri-phase or multiphase pumping applications in which two or more types of pumps are used to
accommodate all uids, a process that oers reduced equipment costs, simpler installation, improved
production, and a smaller footprint.
Centrifugal Pumps Used in The Oil and Gas Industry
Electric Submersible Pump (ESP) These pumps are typically submerged entirely in the uid to be
pumped and are specically designed to combat pump cavitation. Instead of pulling uids, the
mechanisms in these pumps push uids, making them far more reliable and ecient than previously
utilized jet pumps. Newer ESP models can also include a water and oil separator which permits water to
be re-injected into the reservoir without the need to lift it to the surface, saving both time and operating
costs.
Helico-Axial Pump Also called a Poseidon pump, this centrifugal pump uses multiple stages of impellers
and vanes to move uids. Compression is accomplished with the transfer of kinetic energy from the
rotating impeller blades through circles of guide vanes in order to move uid. This pump is often used in
oshore and deep water developments.
Deep Well Pump The industry is beginning to lean more towards these types of pumps especially the
deep well seawater lifting and re pumps. They can have capacities of up to 2,600 cubic meters and oer
added safety protection for oshore production. Many of these pumps use radial-designed impellers for
smaller capacities and a semi-radial design for larger capacities, which can result in an MTBR of 25,000
hours or more.
Positive Displacement Pumps Used in The Oil and Gas Industry
Progressive Cavity Pump Also known as eccentric screw or single screw pumps, these types of pumps
are utilized for their ability to transfer dicult liquids, such as those that containing solids or highly viscous
uids. They work by using a single screw or rotor inside a double-threaded rubber stator to build pressure
and move uid. They are mostly used in shallow wells or at the surface.
Twin Screw Pump This pump works by rotating to form chambers with the intermeshing of the two
screws inside the pump housing. The chambers ll with uid and move it from the suction side to the
higher pressure discharge side of the pump, a process that can be reversed in some twin screw pumps.
They can handle virtually any non-homogeneous uid with any of abrasiveness, lubricity, and viscosity.
Twin pumps are most often used in situations that contain high gas volume fractions and uctuating inlet
conditions.
Other Pumps Used in The Oil and Gas Industry
Deep Well Submersible Pump Just what it sounds like, this vertical is submerged in deep waters for the
purpose of performing a number of upstream processes. The unit is oil-lled, which allows it to be reliable
and long lasting while oering reduced cost in total life cycle. It operates with the use of heavy-duty
impellers, dual bearings, and multiple seal options. In addition, these pumps can handle ows of up to
6,000 cubed meters, heads to 800 meters, and speeds up to 3,600 rpm.
Chemical Process Pump These pumps are used in the handling of harmful chemicals in many
industries, including upstream oil and gas. They can convey hazardous or corrosive chemicals eciently
in order to avoid any damage occurring at the working place whether to equipment or personnel. The
chemical process pump uses a combination of close coupling, heavy duty casing, specialty impellers, a
sealed chamber, and other mechanisms to remove the harmful chemicals.
Oil Skimmer Aluminum Lobe These rotary lobe pumps can be used upstream, midstream, and
downstream. The pump is lightweight, compact, has a large ow range, dry run capabilities, and conveys
highly viscous uids.
Multiple Screw Pump Line One of the newest introductions into the global markets, this Multiple Screw 2/3

Multiple Screw Pump Line One of the newest introductions into the global markets, this Multiple Screw
Pump Line includes double, geared-twin, and triple screw pumps. It oers ranges to 2500 gpm / 1160 psi.
It can also handle high and low viscosities, as well as lubricating and non-lubricating liquids.

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