Positive Displacement Pumps

1. Rotary
2. Reciprocating
3. Miscellaneous
 Positive Displacement Pumps (i)

The positive displacement pump displaces forcibly specific volumes of liquid

against the system resistance. The system resistance directly affects the pump
delivery pressure which will keep on rising until the delivery pressure matches
the system or until the driver or the pump is overloaded. For this reason these
pumps must be provided with relief valves either in the pump or directly after
the pump in the delivery line to provide the necessary protection.

The forcible displacement of specific volumes makes the flow rate dependent
theoretically on the pump speed and geometry. In practice there is always
leakage through the necessary clearances between the moving and stationary
wetted components. Thus the head capacity curve is a substantially flat line
showing a small capacity reduction with increasing differential pressure or
head rise.
 Positive Displacement Pumps (ii)
There are many types of positive displacement pumps. These can be
classified under three main categories depending on their construction.

1. Rotary
2. Reciprocating
3. Miscellaneous

The rotary pump forcibly transfers liquid from suction to discharge by the
action of rotating pumping elements operating in a container of fixed volume.

The reciprocating pump forcibly transfers liquid from suction to discharge by

the action of a reciprocating (piston) or oscillating member (diaphragm) in a
container the available pumping volume of which varies from a very small to
its maximum value according to the position of the pumping element.

The miscellaneous pump forcibly transfers liquid from suction to discharge

by a combined rotary and reciprocating action causing the volume containing
the pumped liquid to vary from a small value to its maximum.
Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps
Rotary pumps may be classified according to their construction in the
following categories.
1
1. External Gear

2. Internal Gear

2a With Crescent 2b without Crescent

3
3. Lobe

4. Screw

5. Eccentric Helical Rotor (Moineau Type)

5
 Gear Pumps (i)

The casing of gear pumps contain two gear wheels (spur or helical or
herring bone type teeth) meshing together either externally (external gear
pumps) or internally (internal gear pumps).

The simplest type has a driving gear and a follower but precision machines or
those handling low lubricity liquids or liquids with some small solids in
suspension have a set of driving gears in an external gearbox to provide
mechanical drive and maintain a fixed fine clearance in the meshing zone of
the pumping gears.

Liquid is picked up from the suction port in the space between the gear teeth
and delivered to the outlet port in fixed steady amounts with pulsations at a
frequency depending directly on the number of teeth and the rotational speed
of the gears. Thus gear pumps have small, possibly negligible operating fluid
pulsations.
 Gear Pumps (ii)
Close clearances are essential for maintaining low internal leakage
and so high volumetric efficiencies. However close internal clearances make
the pump susceptible to external piping loads and coupling misalignment.
Internal and external gear pumps have many similarities. However the internal
gear pump in general have lower pressure and volume ranges and less liquid
turbulence.

The pressure distribution at the periphery of the gears creates radial thrusts
on the gears and their shafts, the higher the discharge pressure the higher the
radial thrusts. Therefore the shafts must be of generous dimensions and have
good heavy load supports. On the other hand axial thrusts are practically
balanced.

Gear pumps with close clearances are self priming since the rotating gears can
evacuate gases from the suction system.
Internal Gear Positive
Displacement Pump
 Internal Gear Pump Section
Thrust Mechanical Seal or Driving Driven Internal Safety
Enlarged Bearing
Housing for Seal

Bearing Packed Gland Gear Gear Valve

Maintenance
Bearing
Sleeve
 Lobe Pumps

Lobe pumps are identical in concept with the external precision gear pump as
the action of the gears is taken by two rotors with two, three or even four lobes
powered by an external gearbox. Because the liquid is delivered in a much
smaller number of larger quantities, than in the gear pump, the liquid pulsations
at discharge are more pronounced.
In some pumps the lobes are fitted with replaceable sealing strips. The wear
on the lobes is less, the internal clearances between lobes and casing less
critical and the coupling alignment similarly so.

Lobe pumps are not as expensive as the corresponding gear pumps. Moreover
they can be easily steam purged and cleaned and they therefore find extensive
application in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
 Twin Lobe Pump
Mechanical Seal

Timing Gears

Taper Roller Bearings

Reversible
Direction of
Flow by Changing
Pump Direction
of Rotation

Lobe
 Screw Pumps
Screw pumps can deliver high flow rates and develop high heads.
There are pumps with two or three rotors.

In the majority of cases the rotors are carefully matched together with very
close clearances to achieve high volumetric efficiencies. When the rotors
have precision clearances they are powered by a timing gearbox driving each
rotor to ensure that the rotors do not touch each other and that a fine
clearance is maintained between them. This timing gearbox can be either
internal or external depending on the lubricity and cleanliness of the pumped
liquid.

The flow is practically pulsation free.

Liquid viscosity affects the flow rate but fairly high viscosities can be dealt
with.

No suction or discharge valves are required but a relief valve at discharge is

essential.
 Two Rotor Screw Pump

Timing Gears

External OUT
Bearings

Packed Glands

IN

External
Packed Glands Bearings
 Eccentric Helical Rotor
The eccentric helical rotor (Moineau Type) pump has a helical rotor which runs
with an interference fit in a deformable stator. The stator has a double helix cut
corresponding to that of the solid rotor. The rotor axis follows a circular path
hence the need for cardan shaft which can transmit the motion to the eccentric
rotor.

The stator is made of a deformable material such as natural or nitrile rubber

while the rotor is made of chrome plated steel, or stainless steel or nitralloy or
other such corrosion and abrasion resisting metallic material depending on the
duty. The assembly due to the interference fit must never be run dry.

The design is self priming and self sealing and does not need suction or
discharge valves. It can handle viscous, sludgy materials with suspended
solids. The pressure that can develop depends on the number of helical
convolutions and so the length of the rotor.
Eccentric Helical Rotor Pump

Packing

Bearings Deformable Stator

Gland

Thrower
Cardan Shaft Helical Rotor
 Reciprocating Pumps (i)
Piston or Plunger Type.

Both types function because of the reciprocating (back and forth) motion of a
solid “plug”drawing the liquid in a cylinder through a suction non return valve
and then forcing it out on the return stroke through the discharge non return
valve. When this reciprocating “plug” has one side in contact with the liquid
and its other end which is connected to the driving mechanism has a seal
to prevent the liquid escaping is termed a plunger. If this plug has two sides
exposed to the pumped liquid and seal rings between these two parts to seal
the liquid between the sides it is termed a piston. The seal which separates
the pumped liquid from the atmosphere operates on the rod driving the piston.
In addition the piston is double acting i.e while one side is drawing liquid in the
cylinder the other side is discharging. The plunger is single acting.

The driving mechanism is one that translates rotary motion (that of the driver)
to a reciprocating motion (that of the piston or plunger). It is either a crank
mechanism or an eccentric. In certain instances it is a direct acting
reciprocating drive such as a steam engine.
 Reciprocating Pumps (ii)
Diaphragm Type

Diaphragm type reciprocating pumps have an oscillating diaphragm that

crates the pumping action on the process liquid. The oscillating motion of the
diaphragm is either by oscillating fluid pressure created by a plunger acting
on a hydraulic couplant liquid or less frequently by direct mechanical
connection of a reciprocating member to the diaphragm.

In certain cases the diaphragm can be actuated by pulsating air flow.

Compressed air is admitted to and vented from the drive side of the diaphragm
of the pump.

Diaphragm pumps are self priming. They can handle liquids containing vapours
and gases or a substantial amount of solids or liquids of high viscosity. In all
such cases the pump valves must be carefully selected for the particular
service.

Diaphragm pumps are used especially for handling polluting, odorous or toxic
fluids since the diaphragm positively separates the pumped liquid from the
environment
 Reciprocating Pumps
Similarly reciprocating pumps may be classified into:-
Direct Acting Pump
1. Piston or Plunger
Engine End Pump End or
or Steam End Liquid End

Duplex Piston Pump

Power Pumps

Plunger Pump
Piston Pump

2. Diaphragm

Reciprocating Power Mechanism Diaphragm Pump

Positive Displacement Pumps

One crank one

cylinder
Positive Displacement

pressure
Pressure Pulsations of
pumps, especially the
reciprocating type have
a pulsating pressure simplex
pattern at suction and
especially at discharge. one revolution of crank

cylinders 180° apart

Reduction of pulsations

Two cranks two

is achieved by increasing

pressure
the number of discharges
per revolution.

Thus a duplex pump

duplex
has a smoother flow one revolution of crank
pattern and a triplex
smoother than a duplex.
cylinders 120° apart
Three cranks three

Similarly gear pumps

pressure
have a smoother flow
pattern than lobe pumps
and so on.
triplex

one revolution of crank

 Pulsation Dampeners (i)
Dampeners are used to reduce discharge and suction pulsations. Pulsations
are more pronounced when the:-
• piping associated with the pump is long,
• pressure high,
• discharge volume comparatively high and pulsating
• high liquid density and viscosity, high liquid acceleration and inertia.

A properly chosen, sized and located dampener can reduce the system
pulsations considerably. The dampeners are most effective when located as
close to the pump suction and discharge as possible. Sizing requires careful
consideration of a number of variables as referred to above.

A practical size indication is 12x the pump displaced volume and the charge
pressure of the bladder or gas filled type is 66% of the system pipe pressure.

Furthermore a dampener can be installed on the suction side to act as an

accumulator to give the pump a ready supply of liquid on each suction stroke
thus influencing NPSH(A) conditions.
 Pulsation Dampeners (ii)

Diverter Appendage Gas Over Liquid Acoustic

Attenuation
Low Frequency Good Good Good Poor
High Frequency Fair Poor Poor Good
Pressure Loss Low Negligible Negligible High
Effectiveness
Variable Speed Good Good Good Poor
Solids Content
of Pumped Liquid Poor Very Good Good Poor
 Reciprocating Pump Valves
Type Diagram Max. Press. (bar) Application

Disc 350 Clean Liquid

Wing 700 Clean Chemical

Liquid with
particles
Ball 2000 Clean Liquid at
High Pressure

Plug 400 Chemicals

Slurries.
Cone 170 Valves have
elastomeric insert
 Valve Slippage (i)
Valve slippage is the amount that either leaks through a pump valve when it is
closed or flows through the valve when it should be closed and has actually
failed to close. Valve Slippage results in loss of rate of flow.

Valve Action without Slippage Valve Action with Slippage

Slippage is influenced by:-
Pressure. The higher the pressure the higher the slippage
Speed. The slower the pump speed the higher the slippage
Viscosity. The higher the viscosity the higher the slippage
Machining Tolerances. Poor machining tolerances or loose valve guiding permit
higher leakage. If the valve seats off centre, the contact on closing creates
a circling effect allowing slippage. This circling effect is called rimming.
Valve Loading - ie. Spring loading or weight of valve element. Increased valve loading
decreases valve slippage.
 Valve Slippage (ii)
Excessive valve slippage can be improved by the following arrangements:-
1. Use Double Check Valves
2. Use Spring Loaded Valves
3. Use Heavier Valve Moving Element
4. Use Valves with greater seat opening and lower valve lift
5. Use Valves with better guiding of the moving valve element
6. Use higher quality valves with closer machining tolerances
7. Use valves made of corrosion resisting materials unaffected
by the pumped liquid.
8. The presence of solids or abrasives in the pumped liquid
requires valves with soft elastomeric seats or hardened seats
9. Liquids producing a coating on the valve parts or viscous liquids require
sharp seats to break up the coating effect. In this case the valve guiding
must be loose to take account of the viscosity and coating effect but the
valve must not be sloppy.
10. Use valves with large area of contact between the moving element and
the valve stop. The stop section of the valve and the corresponding valve
element surface are subjected to high stresses and wear especially when
the area of contact is small.
Liquid End of a Standard
Reciprocating Pump 2 1 4 3
6

12
11
8

13

10

5 7

1. Plunger 8. Cylinder
2. Gland 9. Valve Cover
3. Packing 10. Crosshead
4. Lantern Ring 11. Connecting Rod 9
5. Stuffing Box 12. Oil Seal
6. Double Discharge Valve 13. Tie Rod
7. Double Suction Valve
Liquid End of a Diaphragm
Positive Displacement
6
8

3
Pump

4
1
5

1. Diaphragm 6. Diaphragm Actuating

2. Plunger Liquid
3. Packing 7. Pumped Liquid Inlet
7 4. Gland 8. Perforated Stop
5. Gland Tool Plate for the Diaphragm
Adjusting Positions
Positive Displacement Metering Pumps
(1)
A metering pump is a special type of positive displacement pump, usually
reciprocating, which is designed and used to transfer liquids at an accurately
controlled rate. It is a controlled volume machine the pumping rate of which
can be altered by a simple adjustment, effected externally, at predetermined
intervals of time, of the displaced volume of the pump. The accuracy of the
transferred volume of liquid is important and should be unaffected by system
operating pressure variations. The accuracy of the true metering pump is
limited only by the design and virtually not by external influences.

Other types of positive displacement pumps which have fixed capacities at a

certain single driving speed can only change their rate of output by altering
the driven speed. Inaccuracies in the controlled discharge volume in this case
arise from the speed control system as well as the inaccuracies of the pump
itself. In several instances accuracy is distorted also by system pressures.

Metering pump flow rates can be predetermined accurately with flows

maintained consistently within ±1%
Positive Displacement Metering Pumps
(2)
Types of Positive Displacement Metering Pumps:-
1. Piston

2. Packed Plunger

3. Mechanical Diaphragm

4. Hydraulic Diaphragm
 Hydraulic Diaphragm Pumps
INTERNAL PRESSURE RELIEF VALVE
OIL DISCHARGE VALVE

OIL

PISTON
OIL

OIL MAKE UP VALVE DIAPHRAGM SUPPORT PLATES

DIAPHRAGM
Suction Stroke Discharge Stroke

To overcome the leakage problem through the packed piston gland a diaphragm pump
is used. Leakage has to be avoided when the pumped liquid is very costly and when it
is highly corrosive, poisonous or polluting. When the liquid is highly poisonous a pump
with two diaphragms is used so that when the main diaphragm fails the second one can
prevent leakage until when the failed diaphragm is replaced. A sensor is used to detect
leakage due to the failure of the main diaphragm.
 Some Types of Reciprocating Pump
Diaphragms
Convoluted Diaphragm

Atmospheric
Atmospheric

Pressure
Pressure

Liquid Liquid
Pressure Pressure

Mechanical Diaphragm Actuation

Hydraulic Integral Dish Plate with

Flat Diaphragm Head Liquid Product Chamber

Liquid
Pressure

Hydraulic Dish Plate Separate

from the Hydraulic Head
Pressure

Hydraulic Diaphragm Actuation

Some Other Diaphragm Arrangements

Actuating Hydraulic Oil

Couplant Liquid

Process Pumped Liquid

Fig 1 Fig 2 Fig 3

Fig 1 A double diaphragm arrangement provides additional assurance of permanent

separation of the hydraulic fluid and of the environment from the fluid being pumped,
which is usually toxic, highly corrosive, polluting etc.
Fig 2 A double diaphragm without front backing plate provides a wide unobstructed
flow passage for viscous liquids or slurries.
Fig 3 A remote pumping head with interconnecting hydraulic piping is provided
when the process liquid is at high temperature or when for convenience or safety
reasons (e.g. radioactive process liquid) the pumping head should be away from the
pump
 Adjustment Mechanisms for Controlling
the Capacity of Metering Pumps (i)
Adjustment Mechanisms presently in use may be grouped as follows:-
1. Mechanical Lost Motion
H E D A1. External Stroke Adjustment
with Vernier
A1 A2. External Stroke Adjustment
G
Handwheel
B. Worm Gear Speed Reducer
C B C. Eccentric and Follower
2. Adjustable Crank D. Piston Return Springs
E. Piston
F K F. Stroke Adjustment Assembly
A2 G. Pump Head Assembly
G H. Mechanical Diaphragm
J. Hydraulic Diaphragm
J
K. Connecting Rod
E
B
Adjustment Mechanisms for Controlling
the Capacity of Metering Pumps (ii)
3. Hydraulic by-pass
The hydraulic oil is pumped from the
oil reservoir by a constant stroke plunger
to the diaphragm chamber and then
through passage E. External adjuster K
controls the position of control valve F
D which with the piston follower G control
the amount of oil bypassing through by-
pass shut off H. For maximum flow rate
H is shut off and for no flow H is totally
open, by-passing the entire quantity of
oil pumped to the reservoir D.
4. Electromagnetic Lost Motion
The plunger is energized electromagnetically by
encapsulated electronics to provide reliable long life
and high performance. The stroke length and speed
adjustment can be either manual or it can be connected
to an electronic digital or analogue system. These units
are compact and have a wide range of small outputs.
Some Other Stroke Adjustment

Mechanical Lost Motion

2 11
1

Type
1. Manual Stroke Adjuster
2. Worm Wheel
Mechanisms

3. Worm
4. Rotating Crank
5. Crosshead
10 3 12
6. Connecting Rod
7. Lubricating Oil Pump

Adjustable Crank Type

8. Integral Relief Valve
9. Air Bleed 9
10.Rotating Eccentric 3 6 5 8
11.Piston Rod
12.Return Spring 2

1 4
7
Rotary Plunger Metering Pump
9 12 6

4
10 3

2
3 7 11

1
8
1. Stroke Adjuster 6. Indexing arm for the
2. Shift Ring altering the air venting mechanism
the length of stroke 7. Drive Shaft
3. Plunger, the only 8. Preset Refill Valve admitting
reciprocating part. make up oil to the plunger
4. Reaction Ring on 9. Air Venting mechanism
which the plunger slides 10. Balanced Diaphragm
5. Return Spring 11. Cam for operating the air vent
12. Taper Roller Bearings for the shaft
 Specifying Metering Pumps
In specifying a metering pump at first the capacity in terms of flow rate and
discharge pressure should be identified.

It is important not to oversize or undersize a metering pump. It should be sized so

that the maximum expected flow rate is 80% to 85% of the pump capacity. This
leaves additional capacity if needed. The minimum capacity should never be less
than 10% of the pump capacity. Ideally, the metering pump will operate at all times
between 10% and 100% of capacity. Different speeds can be used as well.

Stroking speeds can range from 18 to 144 spm, (strokes per minute). Stroking
speeds on diaphragm pumps are not as critical as they are for packed plunger
pumps where higher speed would cause wear and high leakage loss. The moving
parts in hydraulically balanced diaphragm pumps offer a long and reliable service
even at high stroking speeds. High stroking speeds should be avoided with
abrasive chemicals. Also, low stroking speeds should be avoided if variable speed
drives are to be used since the pump should never be operated at less than
15 spm, as accuracy below this value cannot be secured. If metering pumps are
chosen well accuracies in the region of ±0.5% are common.
Miscellaneous Positive Displacement
Pumps
In the same way miscellaneous positive displacement pumps may be
grouped as follows:-

1. Sliding Vane

1
2. Rotating Piston

3. External Vane 2 3

4. Flexible Member

Flexible Impeller Flexible Liner Flexible Tube

Positive Displacement Pump Principles
Pump Swept Volume (QO) is the total net pump fluid space displaced during
one complete revolution of the driving rotor.
Pump Displacement (QD) is the total net pump fluid space displaced in a
given unit period of time.

In practice there is always leakage from the high to the low pressure pump
spaces through the necessary clearances between the moving and the
stationary components. This is termed the leakage flow (QL). Thus the

Actual Flow Rate (QA) = (QD) - (QL)

The Volumetric Efficiency ηV = (QA) / (QD) = 1- (QL)/ (QD)

The energy delivered to the pumped liquid (Liquid Power)* (PL) = (QA) x H
where H is the total head increase of the pumped liquid
The Pump Efficiency ηP = (PL) / (PI) where (PI) is the power input into the
pump at the pump shaft
i.e. (PI) = motor power input x motor efficiency.
* Liquid Power can also be expressed as hp=(gpm x psi)/1714
or kW=(m3/hr x bar)/36
Positive Displacement Pump Performance 1
Positive displacement pumps will develop
the same pressure on any liquid that can
flow into the pump chamber.

Slip
They are essentially constant volume
machines in that the flow rate can only be Ideal Pump
Performance
changed by varying Line
1) the rotational speed
2) the swept volume.

Pressure P
Actual Line of
In practice pressure influences capacity Performance
because of leakage through the seals,
the higher the pressure the higher the
leakage. The difference between the ideal
and the actual flowrate is called “slip”
Flowrate Q

The volumetric efficiency compares the actual

flowrate to the ideal i.e. Volumetric efficiency = Actual Flowrate/Ideal
or Volumetric Efficiency = (Ideal Flowrate - Slip)/Ideal
Positive Displacement Pump Performance 2
Working Range

Ideal
Flowrate
Leakage Flow rate QL
The Effect of
Q Vs ΔΡ QL Vs ΔΡ
Pressure Rise

Power P
Q=QL

Flowrate Q
50%
It is assumed that
the Pump Speed and
Liquid Viscosity are P Vs ΔΡ
Constant and that the Liquid Power
Pump Pressure Differential
Varies Mechanical and
Liquid Power Loss

Pressure Differential ΔΡ

When the leakage quantity (QL) is equal to the liquid flowrate (Q) the working range of
the pump is practically limited. At this point the volumetric efficiency is 50% and over
this the leakage rate is higher than the delivery.
Positive Displacement Pump Performance 3
The Effect of Pump
Speed Change QL

It is assumed that the Liquid Pressure (QO Vs N)

Rise and the Viscosity remain constant

Flowrate Q
and that the pump speed changes. (Q Vs N)

The ideal flowrate QO increases with

pump speed and the leakage
flowrate QL is practically constant.
Therefore the actual flowrate Q is

Volumetric Efficiency ηV
displaced by QL below the ideal line. The
relationship holds substantially true until
at high speeds the liquid may not
completely fill the pumping volume.

As the leakage quantity remains

substantially constant it follows that as
the flowrate Q increases with speed the
volumetric efficiency increases also tending to a constant value at high speeds
as ηV = (QO - QL)/ QO = 1- (QL/ QO ) = 1-K/N where K is a constant and N is the speed
Positive Displacement Pump Performance 4
The Effect of Viscosity

It is assumed that the pump

Q Vs ΔΡ Increasing Viscosity
speed is constant.

Increasing viscosity requires a

Power P
Flowrate Q
higher power input for the same
flowrate as it is more difficult to
Increasing Viscosity
force the viscous liquid through
the pump. Similarly it is more P Vs ΔΡ
difficult for the liquid to be
discharged through the leakage
paths to lower pressure areas and
so leakage flowrate is reduced with
increasing viscosity thus the flowrate
delivered is higher. The higher flowrate
through the total differential pressure Differential Pressure ΔΡ
and in most cases through a more
difficult path requires and even
higher power input.
Positive Displacement Pump Performance 5
Positive Displacement pumps also require a Net Positive Suction Head for
the liquid to flow into the pump. However in the event that the available NPSH
is insufficient the pump swept volume will not be fully charged as the liquid
vaporizes as it enters the pump. This causes reduction in the outlet liquid
volume, vibration, hammering and noisy operation, shocks and eventually
mechanical failure especially in reciprocating pumps.
The NPSH required by a given size
pump increases with pump speed.

Viscosity increases resistance to flow

so increasing viscosity requires a higher
NPSH especially in reciprocating pumps
with the increased resistance to flow in
the valves. However viscosity reduces the slip volume in pumps such as gear
or screw where there is more net forward flow due to the reduced slip.
Sufficient driving power and NPSH must be available to cope with the higher
viscosity.
 Flow Associated with Reciprocating Pumps
Due to the reciprocating action the piston for each stroke starts from the rest
position at the dead centre; at this moment it has the maximum acceleration.
The speed increases - almost sinusoidally in most cases, depending on the
driving linkage - to the maximum speed at mid stroke when the acceleration is
zero and then it decreases as the piston approaches the other dead centre,
where it momentarily is at standstill and the deceleration is maximum. This
pattern of motion is followed by the pumped liquid. The instantaneous pressure
difference required to accelerate the mass of liquid in the pipe associated with
the pump is called the acceleration head pressure.

The instantaneous pressure developed is equal to:-

the discharge vessel pressure plus the static head pressure plus the combined
acceleration head pressure and associated pipe system frictional head
pressure. When the acceleration head is maximum the frictional head is zero
since the instantaneous velocity is zero. Flow velocities are low and so
frictional losses at other points can be neglected in the case of simplex and
duplex pumps.

Acceleration head pressures can be reduced by slowing the pump speed,

increasing the associated pipe diameter and by introducing pulsation dampener