Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Chemical Centrifugal Pump

01, Sep. 2025

 

How to Choose a Centrifugal Pump? - SPS Pumps

Guide to Selecting a Centrifugal Pump

As we see from this Wiki, selecting the appropriate centrifugal pump for an application involves several key considerations.
And it is by no mean as simple choice.

At SPS Pumps, our expert team is there to help in every step of the process.
Just call us at +32 2 657 23 53 or send an to
We will find the best solution for you application.

Below is a structured approach to guide you through this selection process.

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1. Identify the Liquid to be Pumped

The first step is to determine the type of liquid that the pump will handle:

  • Distribution Water
    Typically requires clean water pumps with materials resistant to corrosion. Is the application related to groundwater extraction, water transfer, circulation pump etc…
  • Wastewater
    Requires pumps capable of handling solids and varying viscosities, often with features to prevent clogging. What is the size of the maximal solid part. What is the liquid solid content in percent, etc…
  • Other Liquids
    Depending on the chemical properties, temperature, and viscosity and whether the pump is related to a specific process, i.e. food, chemicals, etc… specialised materials and designs may be required. A proper investigation probably is required.

2. Define the Purpose of the Pump

Understanding the primary purpose of the pump helps narrow down the suitable types:

  • Circulating Pumps
    Used for maintaining the flow of water in a closed system, such as heating or cooling systems.
  • Transfer Pumps
    Designed for moving liquids from one location to another, often used in industrial processes.
  • Pressure Boosters
    Used to increase water pressure in systems, essential for high-rise buildings and irrigation systems.

3. Determine the System Requirements

Evaluate the specific requirements of your system:

  • Flow Rate (Q): The volume of liquid to be moved per unit time, typically measured in cubic meters per hour (m³/h).
  • Head (H): The height the pump needs to lift the liquid, measured in meters, which includes both static and dynamic components.

4. Analyse Pump Performance Curves

Examine the pump performance curves provided in the data sheet:

  • Head vs. Flow Curve
    Ensure the duty point, where the system curve intersects the pump curve, falls within the high-efficiency area of the pump.
  • Efficiency Curve
    Select a pump that operates close to its Best Efficiency Point to maximise performance and energy efficiency.
  • Power Consumption
    Identify the required P2 power to ensure the selected motor can deliver this power without overloading.

5. Consider Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)

Ensure the NPSH available (NPSHa) in your system exceeds the NPSH required (NPSHr) by the pump:

  • NPSHa: The absolute pressure at the suction side provided by the system.
  • NPSHr: The minimum pressure required by the pump to avoid cavitation.
    Adequate NPSH prevents cavitation, which can cause significant damage to the pump.

6. Material and Construction

Select the appropriate materials based on the liquid properties and operating conditions:

  • Corrosion Resistance: For aggressive or corrosive liquids.
  • Durability: For handling solids or abrasive materials in wastewater.

7. Motor Selection

Choosing the right motor is integral to the overall performance and efficiency of the pump. The motor must be capable of delivering the required P2 power as indicated by the pump’s power consumption curve.
It is essential to select a motor with sufficient power to avoid overloading while maintaining energy efficiency. Additionally, consider the motor’s speed, enclosure type, and compatibility with the pump to ensure seamless integration and reliable operation.
Proper motor selection not only enhances pump performance but also contributes to energy savings and reduced maintenance costs.

8. Evaluating the Need for an Inverter for Variable Speed Operation

Assessing whether an inverter for variable speed operation is necessary is a key part of motor selection. Variable speed drives (VSDs) allow for the adjustment of the motor speed to match the system’s demand, ensuring stable output pressure and significantly enhancing energy efficiency. Implementing a Variable Speed Drive can lead to reduced energy consumption, lower operational costs, and improved system control, making it an advantageous choice for many applications, particularly where load conditions fluctuate.

9. Additional Considerations

  • Pump Size and Installation Space
    Ensure the selected pump fits within the available space and installation constraints.
  • Maintenance and Reliability
    Consider the ease of maintenance and the reliability of the pump for continuous operation.

SPS Pumps is at your Disposal

SPS Pumps is the ideal partner for industry. We offer unrivalled technical support and in-depth knowledge of centrifugal pumps, as well as other types of pump.
Our expertise guarantees you reliable and efficient solutions tailored to your needs.
We also have a very wide range of spare parts in stock.
With SPS Pumps, you have a trusted partner committed to optimising your fluid handling systems.

Call us at +32 2 657 23 53 or send us an at .

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Step by step guide on how to choose the best type of centrifugal ...

Centrifugal pumps are the most common type of pump used in industrial applications today. That being said, there are a seemingly endless number of ways to configure centrifugal pumps to meet the needs of almost any industry or pump application.

To determine the right type of centrifugal pump for your facility and application, it’s important to know what you're pumping as well as how fast (and therefore pressure), in which direction ( vertical or horizontal), and where within an installation location this will be done. In addition, there may also need specific requirements determined by materials handled at a certain point such that these factors can help assure that only appropriate equipment is used throughout any given process.

What Is a Centrifugal Pump?

Centrifugal pumps are used to transfer liquids. The force generated by these machines is known as centrifugal pressure and it's what enables them to move liquids at high speeds through pipes with little resistance or even denial!

The advantages of centrifugal pumps are their relatively lower purchase price, ease of operation and low maintenance costs. Centrifugal pumps also have fewer moving parts, produce less noise and are durable and easy to maintain.

What Types of Centrifugal Pumps are available?

To select the right industrial centrifugal pump for your business, you need to consider specific characteristics and application requirements.

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Commonly centrifugal pumps come with industry-standard specifications that define the suction type (air or liquid), stage numbers according to their output volume, split case, suction type and shaft orientation.

Stage

The stage defines the number of impellers within the centrifugal pump.

• Single-stage centrifugal pumps feature a single impeller. Single-stage centrifugal pumps offer a more simple, affordable design with easy maintenance. Single-stage pumps typically handle large flow rates and are generally used in low-pressure applications.

• Two-stage centrifugal pumps feature two impellers for more advanced, medium-pressure applications.

• Multi-stage centrifugal pumps feature three or more impellers and are used primarily for advanced high-pressure applications.

Split case

Centrifugal pump split case construction determines how the centrifugal pump develops pressure.

• Axial. The impellers create pressure by pushing liquid parallel to the pump shaft

• Radial. The impellers create pressure by pushing the liquid perpendicular to the pump shaft.

Suction type

For centrifugal pumps, the suction type determines how fluid enters the impeller blades through the pump.

• Single suction. Fluid enters through one side of the impeller blades.

• Double suction. Fluid enters through both sides of the impeller blades.

Centrifugal Pump Shaft orientation

A centrifugal pump shaft orientation defines the direction of the shaft within the pump.

• Horizontal. These centrifugal pumps are easy to install and maintain. They feature a horizontally positioned pump shaft.

• Vertical. Vertical pumps have their shaft in the vertical plane. They utilize a unique shaft and bearing support configuration. These are perfectly suited for direct coupling to an electric motor.

What Types of Applications Use Centrifugal Pumps?

Centrifugal pumps are incredibly versatile pumps that can be used in a wide range of industries and applications. These include agriculture, chemical processing, food and beverage processing, mining, municipal and industrial wastewater management and manufacturing.

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