The hydraulic machines, which convert the hydraulic energy into mechanical energy, are called turbines while the hydraulic machines which convert mechanical energy into hydraulic energy are called pumps. Hydraulic energy is in the form of pressure energy. If the mechanical energy is converted into pressure energy by means of centrifugal force acting on the fluid, the hydraulic machine is called a centrifugal pump. If the mechanical energy is converted into hydraulic energy (or pressure energy) by sucking the liquid into a cylinder in which a piston is reciprocating (moving backward and forwards), which exerts the thrust on the liquid and increases its hydraulic energy (pressure energy), the pump is known as the reciprocating pump. Let us compare Centrifugal Pumps vs Reciprocating Pumps.

Centrifugal pumps | Reciprocating pumps |
The discharge is continuous and smooth. | The discharge fluctuates and pulsates. |
Centrifugal pumps can handle large quantities of liquid. | Reciprocating pumps handle small quantities of liquid only. |
Centrifugal pumps can be used for lifting highly viscous liquids. | A reciprocating pump is used only for lifting pure water or less viscous liquids. |
Centrifugal pump is used for large discharges through smaller heads | The reciprocating pump is meant for small discharges and high heads. |
The cost of the centrifugal pump is less compared to the reciprocating pump. | The cost of the reciprocating pump is approximately four times the cost of a centrifugal pump. |
Centrifugal pump runs at high speed. They can be coupled to an electric motor. | The reciprocating pump runs at a low speed. Speed is limited due to consideration of separation and cavitation. |
The operation of the centrifugal pump is smooth and without much noise. The maintenance cost is low | The operation of the reciprocating pump is complicated and with much noise. The maintenance cost is high. |
The centrifugal pump needs a smaller floor area and the installation cost is low. | The reciprocating pump requires a large floor area and installation cost is high |
Centrifugal pump Efficiency is high. | Reciprocating pump Efficiency is low. |
Different Types of Centrifugal Pumps: ➢ Axial ➢ Radial Read more… | Different Types of Reciprocating Pumps: ➢ Piston ➢ Plunger ➢ Diaphragm Read more… |
Applications of Centrifugal Pumps: ➢ Water supply for residential areas ➢ Fire protection systems ➢ Sewage/slurry disposal ➢ Food and beverage manufacturing ➢ Chemical manufacturing ➢ Oil and gas industrial operations | Applications of Reciprocating Pumps: ➢ Vessel, pipe, tank, tube, condensate pipe, heat exchanger, etc. cleaning, ➢ Pneumatic pressure applications. ➢ Vehicle cleaning. ➢ Sewer line cleaning. ➢ Wet sandblasting ➢ Boiler feeding ➢ Firefighting system. ➢ Wastewater treatment system. |
This is the comparison of Centrifugal Pumps vs Reciprocating Pumps. Let us know what you think about this article in the comment section below.
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