● In summary

Industrial pumps are divided into two main families—dynamic (centrifugal) and positive displacement (rotary). The right choice depends on the fluid, flow rate, pressure and sector. In this guide you will see what an industrial pump is, how it works, the types of industrial pumps we manufacture at InoxMIM (including water and hydraulic pumps) and the criteria for choosing the right one for you.

The use of pumps in industry is increasingly common, and choosing the right type makes the difference between an efficient process and one full of breakdowns. Success depends on several factors: the criticality of the process, pumping hours and the physical data of the fluid (type, flow rate, pressure, temperature and elevation).

At InoxMIM we design and manufacture pumping systems (FLUIDMIM range) for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries, so in this article you will find a clear classification of the types of industrial pumps, how each one works and how to choose the most suitable one for your application.

What is an industrial pump and how does it work?

An industrial pump is a machine that transforms the mechanical energy it receives from a motor (electric, thermal or other) into hydraulic energy and transfers it to a fluid, allowing it to be transported from one point to another, at the same level or overcoming elevation differences.

Its operation is based on a simple principle: the pump draws in the fluid through the inlet pipe and a moving element (an impeller, a rotor, a piston or a screw, depending on the type) imparts energy to it to drive it towards the outlet with the required flow rate and pressure.

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In centrifugal pumps, for example, a rotating impeller generates centrifugal force; in positive displacement pumps, a chamber that fills and empties “pushes” a specific volume of liquid in each cycle.

Understanding this principle is key to understanding why each pump family fits better with certain fluids and certain working conditions.

Classification of industrial pumps

Although there are dozens of models, all pumps are grouped into two main classes according to how they transfer energy to the fluid:

  • Dynamic pumps: they add energy continuously by means of a rotating impeller. The reference family is that of centrifugal pumps (including sanitary, self-priming and helical turbine versions). They are ideal for high flow rates and low-viscosity fluids.

  • Positive displacement pumps: they enclose a fixed volume of fluid and move it mechanically in each cycle. At InoxMIM all our positive displacement pumps are rotary (helical, lobe, gear, peristaltic, flexible impeller and liquid ring). They excel with viscous, delicate fluids or fluids with solids in suspension.

types of industrial pumps

The following table summarizes the essential differences to guide your choice:

Criterion Dynamic pumps (centrifugal) Positive displacement pumps
Principle Centrifugal force of an impeller Fixed volume displaced per cycle
Flow rate High and constant Proportional to rotation speed
Pressure Depends on flow rate High and stable
Viscosity Low-viscosity fluids Highly viscous fluids
Solids / delicate products Limited Very suitable
Examples of use Water transfer, clean liquids Creams, honeys, purées, viscous chemicals

Types of dynamic pumps (centrifugal)

Centrifugal pumps

They are the most widely used pumps in industry. They transform the mechanical energy of an impeller into kinetic and pressure energy on an incompressible fluid.

They are very effective for moving large flow rates of liquid and working with low-viscosity fluids, which is why they are used in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, food, beverages or cosmetics. At InoxMIM we have industrial versions (FL20C, FL31CI–FL33CI) and sanitary/hygienic versions (FL51CI–FL53CI, FLUID) for applications that require CIP cleaning and food grade.

types of industrial pumps

Their main advantages are:

  • Simple mechanism, without articulated parts, and direct electric drive.

  • Constant flow rate for a working point, without the need for regulating devices.

  • Great versatility and adaptation to multiple conditions.

  • Reduced size, weight and cost, and minimal maintenance (bearings, mechanical seal and gaskets).

Self-priming centrifugal pumps

Self-priming pumps (FL81CAI–FL93CAI) are centrifugal pumps capable of priming themselves, that is, evacuating the air from the suction pipe and starting to pump without the need to fill it beforehand. They are the solution when the pump is above the liquid level or when suction from tanks and vats is required.

Helical turbine centrifugal pump

The helical turbine centrifugal pump (FL-CH) incorporates a special impeller that allows it to achieve higher pressures with moderate flow rates than a conventional centrifugal pump of the same size, while maintaining gentle treatment of the product. It is a good option when more pressure is needed without resorting to a positive displacement pump.

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Types of positive displacement pumps

These pumps guide the fluid along its entire path, increasing and decreasing the volume of a chamber to achieve suction and discharge. They are the best option when the product is viscous, sensitive to shear or contains solids. At InoxMIM all our positive displacement pumps are rotary:

  • Helical pumps (progressive cavity or screw): ideal for transferring viscous, abrasive fluids or fluids with fragile solids, with gentle pumping and no pulsations. It is our widest range, with models for multiple applications: sanitary shaft (FL-ERL, FL-ERBE), with hopper for dense products (FL-ERTA, FL-ERTV), with feeder (FL-EREX) or in monobloc version (FL-ERB), widely used in winemaking, food and cosmetics.

  • Lobe pumps (FL-PRL): two lobes rotating in opposite directions drive the liquid with a smooth flow; they handle particles in suspension and are a benchmark in hygiene, which is why they are abundant in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics.

  • Gear pumps (FL-ENM, FL-ENC): two coupled external gears move the fluid with a very regular flow rate; they are very reliable with clean viscous liquids and are ideal for dosing. The FL-ENC version accepts a heating jacket for products that solidify when cold.

types of industrial pumps
types of industrial pumps

  • Peristaltic pumps (FL-PH, FL-PT): the fluid circulates through a flexible tube or hose that is compressed, without contact with mechanical parts. Perfect for sterile, corrosive or abrasive products and for precise dosing.

  • Flexible impeller pumps (FLM-RF): self-priming and reversible, very versatile for gentle transfer; not suitable for high temperatures due to impeller friction.

  • Liquid ring vacuum pumps (FL-AL): rotary machines that generate vacuum; they are used in chemicals, energy, environment and food and beverage processing and packaging.

Rotary pumps are also known as rotatory pumps, and together with the rest of this class they form the group of mechanical positive displacement pumps.

Water pumps and industrial hydraulic pumps

Two terms generate many doubts in searches, so it is worth clarifying them:

  • Industrial water pumps: they are not a different family, but any pump intended to move water or aqueous solutions on an industrial scale (cooling, processes, transfer). For clean water and high flow rates, the usual option is centrifugal; if priming or suction from a tank is required, self-priming centrifugal; and when more pressure with less flow is needed, helical turbine centrifugal.

  • Hydraulic pumps: in a broad sense, any pump that transfers energy to a liquid is a hydraulic pump; in fact, centrifugal pumps are. Our focus is on hydraulic pumps for fluid transfer and processing (centrifugal and positive displacement), not the pressurized oil circuits of power hydraulics.

How to choose the right industrial pump

There is no universal “best pump”: there is the most suitable one for each process. These are the decisive factors:

Factor to assess What you should consider
Type of fluid Viscosity, presence of solids, abrasiveness, sensitivity to shear, temperature and corrosiveness.
Flow rate and pressure Those required at the process working point.
Hygiene and regulations In food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, sanitary designs and CIP cleaning are required.
Process continuity Operating hours and criticality: a continuous process requires greater reliability.
Materials and chemical compatibility The stainless steel and seal elastomers must be compatible with the fluid.
Suction and NPSH Checking the available suction head prevents cavitation and extends equipment life.

Quick guidance by use case (InoxMIM range):

Need / use case Recommended pump
Water and clean liquids, high flow rate Centrifugal (FL-C)
You need priming or suction from a tank Self-priming centrifugal (FL-CAI)
More pressure with low flow rate Helical turbine centrifugal (FL-CH)
Viscous or delicate products (creams, honeys, purées) Helical or lobe
Precise dosing Gear (FL-ENC) or peristaltic
Corrosive, abrasive or sterile fluids, without mechanical contact Peristaltic
Vacuum generation or gas entrainment Liquid ring (FL-AL)

Frequently asked questions about our industrial pumps

It is a machine that converts the mechanical energy of a motor into hydraulic energy to transport a fluid from one point to another, with the flow rate and pressure that the process requires.

They are grouped into two main families: dynamic (centrifugal pumps, including self-priming and helical turbine pumps) and rotary positive displacement pumps (helical, lobe, gear, peristaltic, flexible impeller and liquid ring).

For clean water and high flow rates, centrifugal pumps are mainly used; when priming or suction from a tank is required, self-priming centrifugal pumps; and if more pressure with less flow is needed, helical turbine centrifugal pumps.

The centrifugal pump adds energy continuously with an impeller and delivers high flow rates with low-viscosity fluids; the positive displacement pump moves a fixed volume per cycle and performs better with viscous, delicate or high-pressure fluids.

In a broad sense, any pump that drives a liquid is a hydraulic pump; centrifugal pumps are. In the field of transfer and industrial processing, the main ones are centrifugal (dynamic) and rotary positive displacement pumps (helical, lobe, gear, peristaltic, flexible impeller and liquid ring).

Positive displacement pumps, especially helical, lobe and peristaltic, because they move the product gently without damaging it.

At InoxMIM we are manufacturers of this entire range of high-performance pumps for the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and chemical industries. If you have doubts about which pump fits your process, our technical team can advise you and even test feasibility in our test facilities. Call us at 972 58 20 40, write to us at inoxmim@inoxmim.com or fill out the contact form.

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