6 An Overview of Pumps

A pump is a device used to deliver fluids from one location to another. Over the years, many designs have evolved to meet the many different applications for pumps. The basic requirements to define the applications are suction and delivery pressure, and the flow rate.

When selecting pumps for any service, it is necessary to know the liquid to be handled, the total dynamic head, the suction and discharge heads, and, in most cases, the temperature, viscosity, vapor pressure, and specific gravity. In the power industry, the task of pump selection is frequently complicated by the pressure of the liquid, and liquid corrosion characteristics requiring special materials of construction.