"Today, centrifugal pumps and compressors have reached efficiency levels above 90 percent."
Abraham Engeda, Michigan State University
The centrifugal pump works by drawing in a fluid (a liquid or gas) at the center of a cylindrical chamber that contains a rotating impeller with vanes. This forces the fluid to rotate outward toward the wall of the cylinder before flowing into an outlet pipe. The rotation of the fluid causes the liquid to leave with a higher velocity and pressure than when it entered.
The centrifugal pump was invented by French scientist Denis Papin in 1689 as he attempted to solve the problem of ventilating mines. Papin's device was used to pump air through mines and was also applied to furnaces, where it was known as the Hessian bellows. The basic centrifugal pump was improved by John Appold, who carried out an exhaustive study on the effect of blade shape on pump efficiency. He found that curved vanes on the impeller drastically increased the pump's efficiency. At the Great Exhibition of 1851, Appold showed his improved design, which was nearly three times more efficient. than that of its nearest rival. The new design propelled the development of the centrifugal impeller, which found applications in compressors as well as pumps.
Centrifugal pumps are currently used in areas of power generation, water supply, and general industry. They are widely used in the petroleum and chemical industries because they are relatively inexpensive and can handle large volumes of fluid.
