Different Types of Water Pumps

water pumps are available in a variety of different types suitable for specific applications. Positive displacement pumps use a piston, plunger, diaphragm, or a rotating cog or gear to mechanically move a fixed volume of fluid repeatedly through the pump chamber. Positive displacement pumps can move water at the same speed notwithstanding the inlet pressure, which centrifugal pumps cannot do.

 As water pumps are used in a variety of applications, this list of the types of water pumps reflects the end-use of these devices:

• Automotive water pumps
• Agricultural water pumps
• Boiler water circulating pumps
• Dewatering pumps
• Groundwater remediation and sampling pumps
• Industrial water pumps
• Saltwater or sea water pumps
• Stormwater pumps
• Sump pumps
• Wastewater pumps
• Waterworks and water treatment pumps

Automotive water pumps

Automotive water pumps are impeller pumps that are used in the engines of cars, trucks, and other vehicles to circulate cooling fluid within the water jacket of combustion engines. These pumps serve to move cooling fluid through a closed system so that the engine does not overheat and to pump the circulating fluid to a radiator that drops the coolant temperature bypassing the heat to the air. While known colloquially as water pumps, the cooling fluid used in automotive engines is a mixture of water with a glycol-based product that raises the boiling point and lowers the freezing point of the fluid.

Agricultural water pumps

Agricultural water pumps are used in the farming and agriculture industries to power the irrigationprocesses that provide water to the roots of crops to assist in their growth. Groundwater or surface water may be first pumped to a holding area such as a storage pond if there is a need to treat the water or add chemical fertilizers prior to the application to the crop.

Boiler water circulating pumps

Another application of water pumps is in the heating industry. Boiler water circulating pumps are used to take the water that has been heated in a boiler and distribute that heated water through a network of pipes and heat exchangers (typically radiators or convectors). The thermal energy of the heated water is then passed by conduction to the radiator or convector, where convection currents then heat the air in the room. The circulating pump is usually electrically powered and controlled by a relay circuit that is closed when there is a call for heat, and open when the room temperature has passed the set point.

Dewatering pumps

In construction applications, dewatering pumps are used to remove ground or surface water that is interfering with the ability to excavate the site or to create a foundation or pour concrete footings. These situations occur when the area has a high water table or when the topography results in a natural settling of water in a low area.

Groundwater remediation and sampling pumps

Groundwater remediation pumps or groundwater sampling pumps are employed at sites where the groundwater has become polluted with a foreign substance or another contaminant, and there is a need to pump water out of the ground for treatment. Similarly, groundwater sampling pumps are used to monitor the conditions of wells or water suppliers and to enable the collection of suitable samples that can be used to test for general chemical makeup, volatile compounds, metals, or other pollutants.

Industrial water pumps

Industrial water pumps is a general term that refers to any application of water pumps that requires heavy-duty use in industries such as manufacturing, oil & gas, mining, food & beverage, chemical, or pharmaceuticals, to name a few.

Saltwater or sea water pumps

Saltwater pumps and sea water pumps are those that are specifically designed to be able to withstand the harsh effects of a brine solution which can corrode and damage materials such as metals. On marine vessels, these pumps may be employed for the purpose of transferring ballast or for use in firefighting operations. Attention needs to be paid not only to the metal used in the pump housing and impellers but also seal materials as well. Materials such as stainless steel and bronze are often used in the design and construction of these pumps, while Buna-N, Viton, and EPDM seal materials have good compatibility for sea water use.

Stormwater pumps

Stormwater pumps are employed to pump and move stormwater from collection points such as tanks where runoff accumulates to locations where the water may be treated or passed to the sewer system. Electrically operated submersible pumps are typically used, but alternative power options such as pneumatic or hydraulic pumps are also used.

Sump Pumps

Sump pumps are a component of a waterproofing system that enables the collection and discharge of water that may accumulate in a low part of a home or building (typically a basement) and enable that water to be safely moved outside of the building to prevent flooding. When the water table rises due to heavy rains saturating the soil, hydrostatic pressure builds up along the outside of the foundation walls. This pressure may force water to enter a building through foundation cracks or at the joint where the foundation walls and footer meet.  Without a sump pump to clear the water, the level of water may rise and flood the low points of the building, causing damage to equipment and items located there.

Sump pumps sit in a well or collection reservoir usually cut into the basement floor. A level switch turns the pump on when the water level in the collection reservoir begins to build, and the water is then discharged through a system of pipes outside of the building and away from the foundation, ideally in an area where the natural grade of the property is sloping away from the building. This system keeps operating to maintain control over the water and prevent flooding. Most systems of this type include battery backup capability in the event of a failure of the primary power system to keep the pump operating until utility power has been restored.

Wastewater pumps

Wastewater pumps are used to transport wastewater from a collection point to a wastewater treatment facility, where it is treated chemically before being released into the environment. Soil and sediment may pose a challenge to maintaining the operation of wastewater pumps, necessitating the use of inlet strainers and other approaches to prevent particulates from damaging pump components.

Waterworks and water treatment pumps

On the water supply side, waterworks and water treatment pumps are used to support the operations at a waterworks facility. Waterworks pumps may be used to supply pressure for the water distribution system or may pump water to a water tower or elevated water tank that is used to maintain water pressure as demand varies throughout the day. Water treatment pumps may be used to pump water into treatment tanks where additives such as chlorine are applied to kill bacteria and other pathogens.

Summary

This article presented a brief summary of some of the common types of water pumps, by their application. For more information on related products, consult our other guides or visit the Thomas Supplier Discovery Platform to locate potential sources of supply or view details on specific products.