A pump in which the pressure is developed principally by the action of centrifugal force is called what?

• A. Centrifugal Pump
• B. Positive Displacement Pump
• C. Diaphragm Pump
• D. Gear Pump

Answer: (A)

Understanding how centrifugal force creates pressure in a pump. In a centrifugal pump, the impeller spins and throws the fluid outward by centrifugal action. This outward acceleration increases the fluid’s velocity as it leaves the impeller. When that high-velocity fluid enters the diffuser or volute, its kinetic energy is converted into pressure energy, raising the system pressure. The pressure rise (head) produced depends on the speed and the impeller design, allowing a wide range of flows at different pressures.

This is different from displacement pumps, which move a fixed amount of fluid with each cycle and generate pressure mainly by pushing the fluid rather than by accelerating it. Diaphragm pumps and gear pumps achieve flow through the movement of a membrane or gears, not primarily by centrifugal acceleration. So, the pump described is a centrifugal pump.