What principle does a centrifugal pump operate on?

A centrifugal pump operates primarily on the principle of changing velocity head to pressure head. In a centrifugal pump, fluid enters the pump impeller and is accelerated by the rotational motion of the impeller blades. This acceleration increases the velocity of the fluid, converting kinetic energy (related to velocity head) into pressure energy as the fluid exits the impeller.

The design of the pump allows the high-velocity fluid to enter a diffuser or volute, where the flow area increases. This expansion slows down the fluid, which in turn converts that increased velocity into increased static pressure. This transformation is crucial to the functionality of a centrifugal pump, as it allows the pump to move fluids efficiently from one location to another by creating the necessary pressure to overcome system resistance.

This principle of converting velocity head to pressure head is foundational in understanding how centrifugal pumps effectively raise the pressure of the liquid they are moving, making it crucial for applications in municipal wastewater treatment and other fluid systems.