Workshop Theory

• Pumps


  Play a fundamental role in all types of buildings, simplify the movement of fluid substances
• Applications of pumps in buildings

  • Fire pumps provide pressurized water supply for firefighters and sprinklers
  • Booster pumps deliver potable water to upper floors in high-rise constructions
  • Hydronic pumps are important in HVAC systems that deliver heating and cooling with water
• Main types of pumps

  • Centrifugal pumps
  • Positive displacement pumps
• Centrifugal pumps


  • Use an impeller with curved blades that accelerate fluids towards their edge when rotating
  • Impeller is driven by electric motor or combustion engine, producing suction at pump inlet and drawing water inside
• Subtypes of centrifugal pumps

  • Axial flow
  • Radial flow
  • Mixed flow
• Axial flow


  Produces flow along the same direction as the impeller shaft, also known as propeller pump
• Radial flow


  Produces flow perpendicular to shaft (90° angle)
• Mixed flow


  Combines radial and axial flow, producing a conical flow pattern around the impeller shaft
• Centrifugal pumps


  • Most common type, suitable for handling water and relatively easy to manufacture
  • Tend to be the most affordable due to mass production
• Positive displacement pumps


  Move a fixed amount of fluid at regular intervals, built with internal cavities that fill up at suction side and discharge at higher pressure at outlet
• Subtypes of positive displacement pumps

  • Reciprocating
  • Rotary
• Reciprocating


  Flow is established by a cavity that expands and contracts, such as a piston. Water moves into cavity during expansion, forced out during contraction, with flow direction controlled by check valves.
• Reciprocating pump types


  • Bladder
  • Diaphragm
  • Peristaltic
  • Piston / plunger
• Rotary


  Uses a rotor that traps water in cavities, releasing it at the pump outlet. Cavities can be spaces between gear teeth, screw threads, or other configurations.