Advantages and Disadvantages of Pump and Compressor: Pumps 1. Centrifugal Pumps

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pump and Compressor
Pumps
1. Centrifugal pumps
Advantages
1. There are relatively inexpensive.

2. They have few moving parts and therefore tend to have greater onstream availability
and lower maintenance costs than positive displacement pumps
3. There have relatively small space and weight requirements in relation to throughput
4. There are no close clearances in the fluid stream and therefore they can handle liquids
containing dirt, abrasives, large solids, etc
5. Because there is very little pressure drop and no small clearances between the suction
flange and the impeller ,they can operate at low suction pressure
6. Due to shape of the head capacity curve, centrifugal pumps automatically adjust to
changes in head. Thus capacity can be controlled over a wide range at constant speed.
Disadvantages
1. There are only practical for achieving high pressure when they are large flow rates.
2. They have low maximum efficiencies when compared to reciprocating pumps.
2. Reciprocating pumps
Advantages
1. The efficiency is high regardless of changes in required head. Efficiencies on the order of
85% to 95% are common
2. The efficiency remains high regardless of pump speed, although it tends to decrease
slightly with increasing speed.
3. Reciprocating pumps run at much lower operating speeds than centrifugal pumps and
thus are better suited for handling viscous fluids
4. For a given speed the flow rate is constant regardless of head. The pump is limited only
by the power of the prime mover and the strength of the pump parts
Disadvantages
1. They have higher maintenance cost and lower availability because pulsating flow and
large number of moving parts
2. There are poorer at handling liquids containing solides that tend to erode valves and
seats.
3. Because of the pulsating flow and pressure drop through the valves they require larger
suction pressures( net positive suction head) at the suction flange to avoid cavitation
4. They are heavier in weight and require more space
5. Pulsating flow requires special attention to suction and discharge piping design to avoid
both acoustical and mechanical vibrations
Disadvantages
Oscillating motion of the plungers creates disturbances(pulsations) that travel at the
speed of sound form the pump cylinder piping system. There pulsations cause the
pressure level of the system to fluctuate with respect to time
3. Rotary pumps
Advantages
1. Required less space
2. Deliver relatively pulsation free flow
3. Unlike reciprocating and centrifugal pumps, their construction subjects the pumped
fluid to a minimum amount of shear or turbulence
Disadvantages
1. they have close clearance that require that the liquids being pumped have a
lubricating value, be non corrosive, contain few solid
Compressor
1. Reciprocating compressor
Advantage:
1. Can be skid mounted
2. Self contained for easily installation and easily moved
3. Low cost compared to low speed reciprocating units
4. Easily piped for multistage compression
5. Size suitable for field gathering offshore and onshore.
6. Flexible capacity limits
7. Low initial cost
Disadvantages
1. High speed engines are not as fuel efficient as integral engines(4500 to 9000
Btu/bhp-hr)
2. Medium range compressor efficiency (higher than centrifugal; lower than low-
speed)
3. Short life compared to low-speed.
4. higher maintenance cost than low speed or centrifugal
2. Centrifugal compressor:
Advantages:
1. High horsepower per unit of space and weight

2. Turbine drive easily adapted to waste-heat to waste-heat recovery for high fuel
efficiency
3. Easily automated for remote operations
4. Can be skid mounted, self contained.
5. Low initial cost
6. Low maintenance and operating cost
7. High availability factor
8. Large capacity per unit
Disadvantages
1. Lower compressor efficiency

2. Limited flexibility for capacity
3. Turbine drivers have higher fuel rate than reciprocating units
4. Large horsepower units mean that outage has large effect on process or pipeline
capabilities
3. Rotary Compressor
3.1 Vane Type Rotary compressor
Advantages:
1. Good in vacuum service
2. No pulsating flow
3. Less space
4. Inexpensive for low hp vapor recovery or vacuum service
Disadvantages
1. Must have clean air or gas

2. Take 5 to 20 % more horsepower than reciprocating
3. Uses 10 times the oil of a reciprocating. Install after-cooler and separator to
recycle oil
3.2 Screw type Rotary Compressor

Prime mover:
Reciprocating compressor: piston
Centrifugal compressor: rotating impeller

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pump and Compressor: Pumps 1. Centrifugal Pumps

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What are the main advantages and disadvantages of centrifugal pumps?

What are the main advantages and disadvantages of reciprocating pumps?

Advantages and Disadvantages of Pump and Compressor

1. There are relatively inexpensive.

2. They have low maximum efficiencies when compared to reciprocating pumps.

1. High horsepower per unit of space and weight

1. Lower compressor efficiency

1. Must have clean air or gas

3.2 Screw type Rotary Compressor

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