Top 40 Pump Industry Terms You Must Know


Pump is a machine or mechanical equipment which is required to lift liquid from low level to high level or to flow liquid from low pressure area to high pressure area or as a booster in a piping network system.

Principally, pump converts mechanical energy of motor into fluid flow energy.

The pump has since evolved into an endless variety of types, sizes, and applications. This article will give an overview of the 40 general types of Pump Industry Terms are in common use in process plants.
  1. Air Bound :- A condition occurring when a centrifugal pump body is filled with air and a vacuum can no longer be formed allowing water to flow into the pump.
  2. Capacity :- Capacity is the water handling capability of a pump commonly expressed as either gallons per minute (GPM) or gallons per hour (GPH).
  3. Cavitation :- Cavitation is the result of vapor bubbles imploding. This occurs when the amount of water flowing into the pump is restricted or blocked.
  4. Cleanout Covers :- On trash pumps a removable cover that allows easy access to the interior of the pump casing for removal of any debris.
  5. Dewatering :- The removal of unwanted water-clear or dirty but free from hazardous material.
  6. Diffuser :- A stationary housing similar to a volute in which the impeller rotates. Compact in design, it enables the pump to produce higher heads/pressures.
  7. Discharge Hose :- A collapsible hose used to move the water discharged from the hose.
  8. Discharge Port :- Same as the outlet. The point where the discharge hose or pipe is connected to the pump.
  9. Drain Plugs :- Removable plugs used to drain water from the pump during periods of inactivity.
  10. Dynamic :- Dynamic takes into account motion, as opposed to static.
  11. Efficiency :-The measured power out of a piece of equipment divided by the power produced by the piece of equipment. Shown as a percentage.
  12. Flapper Valve :- Rubber molded around a steel weight that seals off the inlet or outlet preventing water from either entering or exiting the pump.
  13. Frame  :-  A wraparound tubular steel frame provides protection for the casing and engine. These frames can simplify storage (stacking) and lifting.
  14. Friction Loss :- Friction Loss refers to reductions in flow due to turbulence as water passes through hoses, pipes, fittings and elbows.
  15. Hazardous Material :- Any volatile, explosive or flammable liquid that requires special handling and should not be used with a dewatering pump.
  16. Head :- A measurement of pressure typically expressed in feet/head or lb/in²
  17. Impeller :-  A disk with multiple vanes. It is attached to the pump engine or motor and is used to create the centrifugal force necessary for moving water through the pump casing.
  18. Mechanical Seal :- A common wear part that forms a seal between the pump and the engine or motor. Also prevents water from seeping into the engine or motor.
  19. Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH) :- Net Positive Suction Head (NPSH)  positive flow of water to
  20. the suction port of a pump.
  21. Performance Curves :-  Performance Curves chart water flow by comparing total head to flow rate.
  22. Prime :-  The creation of a vacuum inside the pump casing.
  23. Pump Housing :- The pump body or casing. Depending on the design may be made of plastic, aluminum, cast-iron or stainless steel.
  24. Self-Priming :- The ability of a pump to purge air from its system and creating an area of low pressure that permits water to flow into the pump casing.
  25. Shock Mounts :- Rubber mounts used to dampen vibration from the engine and help prevent the pump from “walking away.”
  26. Skid Mount  :-  Pump and engine mounting mounted on a base.
  27. Slow Seepage  :- Water that drains slowly into a trench or work area from the surrounding area. Possibly caused from run off or high water tables.
  28. Solids :- Any particulate that passes through the pump: mud, sand, rock or other debris.
  29. Static acting :- Static acting by weight not motion, as opposed to dynamic.
  30. Strainer :-  A fitting at the end of the suction hose that prevents solids from entering the pump larger than what it is capable of passing.
  31. Strain Relief Protector  :- A support that prevents the electrical cord of a submersible pump from being accidentally pulled out of the casing.
  32. Suction Hose  :- A reinforced hose used through which water flows into the suction end of a pump.
  33. Suction Port  :- Same as the inlet. The point where the suction hose or pipe is connected to the pump.
  34. System  :- The network of hoses, pipes and valves linked to the pump.
  35. Thermal Overload Sensors  :- A feature built into the motor of submersible pump that shuts it down should the operating temperature become too high.
  36. Viscosity  :- The resistance to flow of a liquid at a given temperature. High viscosity liquids such as motor oil are more resistant to flow than water.
  37. Volute :-  A stationary housing inside the pump housing in which the impeller rotates. It is used to separate air and water.
  38. Water Hammer :-  Energy transmitted from a sudden stoppage in the flow of water out of the pump.
  39. Wear Plate  :- A replaceable steel insert that fits inside the volute or suction cover of a pump. Helps to form a vacuum with the impeller and reduce the cost of replacement parts.
  40. Weep Hole :- A small opening on the underside of the pump where it is joined to the engine. Allows quick detection of a leak before water seeps into the oil sump of the engine.

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