What is a Piston Pump?
A piston pump is a type of reciprocating pump in which the high-pressure seal reciprocates with the piston. Piston pumps can be used to move liquids or to compress gases. They can be operated in a wide pressure range. A high-pressure operation can be achieved without a strong effect on flow rate.
Piston pumps can also handle viscous media and media-containing solids. This type of pump works via a piston cup, an oscillating mechanism where downstrokes cause pressure differentials, filling pump chambers where an upstroke forces the pump fluid out for use.
Piston pumps are often used in scenarios where high, constant pressure is required, such as in water irrigation or supply systems.
How Does a Piston Pump Work?
The piston pump working is similar to PD pumps. Because they work with the help of the pumping mechanism force to increase the volume of the liquid. These pumps can use the power from power sources.
These pumps include more than one piston with a set of control devices. The duplex pump includes two pistons as well as two controlling devices. Similarly, a triplex pump includes three pistons as well as three controlling devices. It is very important to check the controlling devices on both sides to ensure that the flow of liquid direction at both sides is flowing or not.
These pumps are single otherwise double-acting pumps. Double-acting pumps involve two sets of controlling devices & liquid on both ends. This lets the pump complete a pumping cycle by flowing from one direction to another. When the piston is taken in one direction, then it will exhaust at another side. This pump needs solo action versions for flowing in both directions for completing a cycle.
Types of Piston Pumps
These pumps are classified into different types namely lift pump, force pump, axial pump, and radial piston pump. From these pumps, lift and force pumps can operate manually otherwise with the help of an engine.
1. Lift Piston Pump
In this type of pump, the piston above stroke can draw fluid with the help of a control device which is named a valve into the below portion of the cylinder.
On the below stroke, fluid flows through control devices which are arranged in the piston into the higher portion of the cylinder. After that on the upstroke, fluid can be released from the higher portion of the cylinder through a spout.
2. Force Pump
In this type of pump, the piston pumps upstroke can draw fluid throughout an inlet valve to the cylinder (tube). On top of the downstroke, the fluid level can be discharged via an exit valve into the outlet tube.
3. Axial Piston Pump
This is the pump is a PD (positive displacement) pump and it has several pistons within a circular array of a tube block. This block can be driven to turn its symmetry axis with an important shaft that is associated with the pumping pistons. These pumps can be used like an automotive air conditioning compressor, a separate pump, otherwise a hydraulic motor.
4. Radial Piston Pump
This pump is one kind of hydraulic pump, and the working pistons expand within a radial track symmetrically in the region of the drive shaft, in disparity in the direction of the axial piston pump.
Differences Between Piston and Plunger Pumps
Below is a table outlining the differences between piston and plunger pumps:
| Piston Pumps | Plunger Pumps |
| High-pressure seal reciprocates with the piston in the cylinder. | High-pressure seal is stationary. Plunger slides through seal allowing the pump to be used at higher pressures. |
| Inlet design pressure of 8.5psi to 40psi (0.58 bar to 2.8 bar). | Inlet design pressure of 60-70psi (4-5 bar). |
| Best suited to short duty cycles unless a larger pump operates slowly. | Okay for continuous operation when ran slowly. |
| Inlet values are mechanically actuated. | Requires flooded suction or higher inlet pressure supplied by a booster pump. |
| Output pressure 100-1200psi (6.9 bar to 83 bar). | Output pressure 100 to 10,000psi (6.9 bar to 700 bar). |
Applications of Piston Pumps
Piston pumps can be used to move liquids or compressed gases and can also pump viscous media and media containing solid particles.
Piston pumps are used for water and oil hydraulics, industrial processing equipment, high-pressure cleaning, and the pumping of liquids.
Advantages of Piston Pumps
The advantages of a piston pump mainly include the following.
- The range of pressure is wide
- Force can be managed without moving flow rate.
- The rate of flow and Pressure changes has a small outcome on the act.
- Skilled in moving of thick fluids, slurries, as well as abrasives with good control device design.
Disadvantages of Piston Pumps
The disadvantages of piston pumps mainly include the following.
- Maintenance cost, & operating is high usually bulky and heavy
- They handle only lesser flow rates
- Flow is Pulsating
FAQs
What is another name for piston pump?
A reciprocating pump is a class of positive-displacement pumps that includes the piston pump, plunger pump, and diaphragm pump. Well maintained, reciprocating pumps can last for decades.
How reliable is a piston pump?
Low Maintenance: With their simple design and fewer moving parts compared to other pump types, piston pumps require minimal maintenance. This means less downtime for servicing and repairs, allowing farmers to focus more on their core farming activities.
Is piston pump a rotary pump?
Rotary piston pumps work by a piston sliding back and forth along a rotors groove drawing liquid into the inlet. Two directly driven pistons move reciprocally in cylinders, with the piston drawing back towards the centre of the pump when at the pump inlet causing fluid to be drawn into the inlet.
What is the difference between a piston pump and a regular pump?
While both pumps need hydraulic fluid to generate mechanical power, a piston pump uses a piston to move liquid throughout the pump valves, while a gear pump uses cogs to move fluid throughout the pump.
What is the difference between a plunger pump and a piston pump?
Unlike a piston that fits tightly inside the cylinder, a plunger fits loosely. The plunger creates negative and positive water pressure inside the cylinder as it moves up and down.
What is a piston pump used for?
Piston pumps can be used to move liquids or compress gases. They can operate over a wide range of pressures. High pressure operation can be achieved without adversely affecting flow rate. Piston pumps can also deal with viscous media and media containing solid particles.