Need A Pump? Find Out What Type Of Pump You Need Based On The Industry

There are lots of pump types on the market, and they are all designed to handle different capabilities. If you are looking for a pump, one interesting but effective way to narrow down what you want is to start by evaluating what industry your application lies in. In this article, get a breakdown of the different pump types you are likely to need in different industries and for what particular purpose.

Domestic applications

At home, the most commonly used pump types are centrifugal and submersible pumps. Submersible pumps are used when one wants to source water from a rainwater tank, underground tank or a borehole. The pump pumps water from that location to the main house or to the lawn/garden. In turn, domestic centrifugal pumps can be used to pump mains water into the house or storage tank. They can also be used to pump water from outdoor storage tanks and into the house.

Construction applications

In the construction industry, centrifugal pumps are mostly used. They are applied to pump water from a source and to deliver it where it is needed, most likely to mix concrete. The water source may be a tank or the mains water. Through a centrifugal pump, water can be delivered high up to storey floors with ease. In cases where the water source is a borehole or an underground tank, a submersible pump may be used.

Irrigation applications

Here, three types of pumps are common. The first is centrifugal pumps, followed by submersible pumps and lastly, circulatory pumps. Centrifugal pumps are used to pump water from natural water bodies or tanks. Submersible pumps are used to source water from the same places by with the pump now being placed inside the water source. Circulatory pumps are used in more specialised applications, e.g. in hydroponic farming or drip irrigation networks where most of the water just needs to be moved around inside a closed circuit.

Industrial applications

In manufacturing and processing applications, centrifugal and circulatory pumps are the main players. Centrifugal pumps are used to source water from tanks or mains supply and to deliver it to cooling stations, manufacturing tanks or processing areas. Centrifugal pumps are used mostly to run cooling systems where the water is run continuously through machinery, into cooling systems, and back into machinery.

Mining applications

The mining sector, too, uses pumps. Here, centrifugal pumps are the most used. They are applied for different uses, e.g. to source water from natural water bodies, to remove water from excavated mining sites, to deliver water to wash plants, to deliver water to cooling stations, etc. Because the applications are all about moving water from one location to another, centrifugal pumps are a favourite. Another reason these pumps are great is that they are easily portable (can be moved from site to site with ease).

Apart from understanding the type of pump you want, you should also evaluate what flow rate you want, the maximum height you want to reach, and the type of fuel you want your equipment to run on. These factors collectively will allow a pump expert to determine the right unit for your needs. And of course, go for reliable brands like Grundfos pumps or Davey pumps.