Different Water Pump Types and How They Are Used 

A water pump is a mechanical device that pushes water from one place to another. It works by using spinning or back-and-forth motion to produce suction and pressure that makes liquid flow. 

There are lots of different types – centrifugal, positive displacement, submersible, jet pumps and more. Each one has a motor or engine that powers the pumping action.

How do water pumps work?

Water pumps take liquid and transport it from an area of low pressure to an area of high pressure. They can suck water in from one side and then force it out under pressure on the other side. That's achieved using impellers, pistons, or other mechanical energy that make the liquid only flow one way. Wherever there's a pump, there's some kind of rotational or reciprocating motion driving it.

Core components include the energy input, the pump housing, valves and seals, a shaft with bearings, and of course the inlet and outlet pipes. Selecting the right pump will match the demands in terms of water volume and vertical lift (known as ‘head’). 

What can water pumps be powered by?

Water pumps can be powered by electricity, petrol, diesel, solar and hydraulics, let’s have a look at how they work.

Diesel and petrol engines

Diesel and petrol engines are the most widely used power source for water pumps. 

• The advantages of diesel water pumps and petrol water pumps is their ample torque, easy installation, and relatively low investment cost. 
• The drawbacks are the expense of operation, short lifespan, and noise and air pollution.

Electric motors

Electric motors are often used to power water pumps when there is a reliable source of electricity available. A typical electric motor consists of components such as rotors, bearings, windings, and a commutator. 

• The advantages of using an electric water pump include low noise pollution, easy maintenance, flexible installation, and no need for refuelling. 
• The disadvantages include dependence on a stable electrical grid, potential vulnerability to power outages, and the environmental impact associated with electricity generation from non-renewable sources.

Solar energy

Solar energy is increasingly being used to power water pumps, particularly in remote or off-grid areas. A typical solar-powered water pump system includes photovoltaic panels, a pump controller, and the water pump itself. 

• The advantages of using a solar water pump include reduced operational costs, minimal environmental impact, and reliable access to water in areas without electricity infrastructure. 
• Disadvantages include the initial high setup cost, dependence on weather conditions, and the need for regular maintenance of solar panels to ensure efficiency.

Hydraulic

Hydraulic pumps are frequently used in applications requiring high-pressure fluid movement. The components of a hydraulic pump system typically include a reservoir, pump, valves, actuators, and hydraulic fluid. 

• The advantages of using hydraulic pumps for water pumping include their high efficiency, ability to generate high force with relatively small equipment, and precise control over fluid flow and pressure. 
• Disadvantages include the complexity of the system, the need for regular maintenance to prevent leaks and contamination, and potential environmental concerns due to hydraulic fluid spills.

Different types of water pumps and their uses

Now that we’ve covered the basics of how pumps can transport water, let’s talk about how and why they are used. 

People use water pump systems for all kinds of applications - for both industrial and domestic uses. 

So, let’s look at different types of pumps and how they are used in both domestic and industrial settings. 

1. Centrifugal Pump

Centrifugal pumps are one of the most widely used types of water pumps out there. They operate by spinning an impeller inside a sealed housing to push water using rotational force. Essentially, the swift spinning motion of the vanes flings the liquid outward, generating high velocity flow. All that energy gets converted into pressure as the water slows in the outer diffuser chamber. 

The centrifugal pump outlet then hooks up to pipes or discharge infrastructure running at higher internal pressure.

Uses

• Domestic: Centrifugal pumps pump water from wells, power irrigation systems for gardens, and circulate water in pools and hot tubs. 
• Industry: Centrifugal pumps manage wastewater and sewage in treatment plants, move chemicals in processing plants, pump oil and gas, generate power, and are even used in firefighting systems.

2. Submersible Pump

A submersible pump is designed to operate while fully submerged in water. Unlike standard pumps, both the motor and impeller are sealed within a watertight casing that prevents leakage when immersed. This allows them to be placed directly into wells, tanks, basins or other wet environments to pump water from within.

The pump housing is connected to a discharge pipe that routes the pressurised flow to wherever it needs to go. Being underwater, these pumps stay primed and ready to start pumping instantly.

Uses

• Domestic: Submersible pumps quickly drain flooded basements or yards and draw water from deep wells for homes not connected to municipal water. They help keep gardens flourishing by delivering water through irrigation systems.
• Industry: Submersible pumps are crucial for managing waste in treatment plants, pumping sewage and wastewater, and handling various slurries in industrial processes. Their ability to withstand harsh environments makes them essential for marine applications and desalination plants, where they move seawater. 

3. Positive Displacement Pump 

A positive displacement pump works by physically trapping and displacing a fixed volume of liquid with each cycle or rotation. Unlike centrifugal pumps that add velocity, these pumps allow an exact quantity to be pushed along the system.

There are all kinds of positive displacement pumps – piston types like hand pumps, diaphragm pumps with flexible discs, gear and rotary pumps with intermeshing cogs or screws, and more. What they share is a sealing action to capture liquid, move it forcefully, then discharge it. This happens over and over, steadily moving water even against high pressures without surge.

Uses

Domestic: Positive displacement pumps enable controlled distribution of common fluids like hand soaps, reliable chemical injection in pools, gentle transfer of food substances, and consistent aquatic environments for pets. 

Industry: Positive displacement pumps endure intense, large-scale demands, pumping viscous oils, abrasive mine slurries, and corrosive chemicals. 

4. Booster Pump

Sometimes the main water supply pressure just doesn't cut it for appliances and fixtures that require extra oomph. And that's where a booster pump comes in. It’s basically a supplemental water pump that increases water pressure.

Most booster pumps used in homes are small centrifugal types, either constant speed or variable speed drive. They take low pressure water on the inlet side and spin it up with an impeller to discharge at a higher psi that hovers right around your target. Control valves ensure pressures don't spike too severely.

Uses

Domestic: Booster pumps boost low water pressure from the municipal supply to ensure showers flow strong and appliances function properly. These pumps are also used in homes that rely on wells or rainwater harvesting systems, providing the necessary pressure to distribute water throughout the building.

Industry: They are essential for maintaining consistent water pressure in high-rise buildings, ensuring water reaches every floor. Additionally, they power irrigation systems for agriculture and landscaping, guaranteeing adequate water flow for crops and gardens to thrive. 

5. Sump Pump

A sump pump keeps water away from building foundations and basements. Positioned in a pit or low point in a basement, a sump pump sucks up all the excess water from areas like window wells, foundations seeps or heavy rains and pumps it away out of the building through a discharge pipe. Many residential units are submersible types that sink right into the water inside the sump pit.

Sump pumps handle sandy, silty water and resist corrosion. Most feature an automatic float switch to turn on when needed, handling 25-150 gallons per minute.

Uses

Domestic: Sump pumps protect against basement flooding, automatically pumping out excess water that could cause damage and mould growth. In areas with high water tables, sump pumps help to keep basements dry and habitable.

Industry: Sump pumps are crucial for dewatering construction sites, mines, and other areas prone to water accumulation, ensuring safe and efficient working conditions. These pumps are also used in industrial processes to remove unwanted water from equipment and machinery, preventing corrosion. 

6. Circulating Pump

Circulating pumps move water or other liquids around closed-loop systems where the fluid needs to keep going round and round. They provide hydraulic circulation and flow for heating, cooling, filtering, treating water in industrial equipment, home HVAC and pools.

Unlike booster pumps, circulating pumps provide more for steady water flow rather than high pressure. Most use standard centrifugal technology with an impeller inside to keep things moving briskly in one direction within pipes, tanks and other enclosed components. Flow rates can be adjusted via valve constriction on the discharge side.

Uses

Domestic: By continuously circulating hot water through the system, these pumps eliminate the wait for hot water to reach the faucet, saving time and water waste. They are also used in hydronic heating systems, silently circulating warm water through pipes embedded in floors or radiators, keeping homes cosy and comfortable.

Industry: Circulating pumps are crucial in commercial and industrial buildings, circulating hot or chilled water through HVAC systems to maintain comfortable temperatures for occupants. They are used in various industries, ensuring the continuous flow of liquids like coolants, lubricants, or chemical solutions through machinery and equipment, keeping processes running smoothly and efficiently.

7. Metering Pump

When a process needs accurate, consistent injection or dosing of chemicals or fluids, a metering pump does the job with precision. Metering pumps deliver exact volumes of liquid over time; think of it like a mechanical IV drip.

Metering pumps use reciprocating positive displacement mechanisms to suck in and then displace rigid amounts of liquids with each stroke. Common designs are piston, diaphragm and peristaltic types. 

Another feature of metering pumps is they can pump tricky viscous or volatile fluids that other technologies can't handle. They also prevent surges and maintain consistency even with changes in discharge pressure.

Uses

Domestic: They ensure proper water balance by accurately dosing precise amounts of chemicals into pools and hot tubs. Metering pumps also dispense cleaning detergent in dishwashers, ensuring an efficient wash.

Industry: Metering pumps precisely inject chemicals in various processes. This could involve adding dyes and pigments in manufacturing or precise dosing of flavours and fragrances in food production. In medical applications, metering pumps ensure precise and controlled delivery of medication during intravenous drips or dialysis procedures.

Pump Type	Description	Domestic Uses	Industrial Uses
Centrifugal	Uses spinning impeller to move water	Well pumping, irrigation, pool/hot tub circulation	Wastewater treatment, chemical processing, oil & gas, firefighting
Submersible	Sealed for underwater operation	Draining flooded areas, deep well water supply, irrigation	Wastewater treatment, sewage pumping, desalination
Positive Displacement	Traps and displaces fixed liquid volume	Soap dispensing, pool chemical injection, food transfer	Viscous oils, abrasive slurries, corrosive chemicals
Booster	Increases water pressure	Boosting municipal supply, well/rainwater systems	High-rise buildings, irrigation
Sump	Removes water from foundations/basements	Basement flood protection	Dewatering construction sites, mines, industrial processes
Circulating	Moves fluids in closed-loop systems	Hot water circulation, hydronic heating	HVAC systems, coolant/lubricant circulation
Metering	Doses chemicals/fluids precisely	Pool/hot tub chemicals, dishwasher detergent	Chemical injection (manufacturing, food), medical drips/dialysis

Choosing and Maintaining Your Water Pump

Remember, choosing the right pump isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. You need to consider the water flow rate you need, the pressure required, and the type of liquid you'll be pumping. By understanding these factors, you'll be well on your way to selecting the best water pump for your home or industrial needs.

If you're feeling overwhelmed or unsure, contact our pump experts today and we’ll assess your requirements and recommend the ideal pump for the job. 

Get free advice on: 0800 112 3134 or 0333 577 3134. We’re open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 17:30 and Saturday 08:30 - 12:30.