Use centrifugal pump as air pump?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the feasibility of using a hydraulic centrifugal pump to deliver air to a height of 5 meters. Participants explore the technical aspects, limitations, and potential applications of such a setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about the actual requirements for flow rate and pressure related to delivering air, suggesting that the application context is important.
  • Another participant notes that centrifugal pumps are generally not designed to pump air and shares personal experience with the challenges of priming such pumps.
  • A claim is made that centrifugal water pumps have a specified self-priming height, which may not be applicable when pumping air due to lubrication and cooling requirements of the shaft seals.
  • Concerns are raised about the need for higher RPMs to achieve significant air pressure, which may exceed the bearings' rated capacity.
  • One participant suggests that the distinction between an air pump and a fan could influence the discussion, noting that some large fans resemble centrifugal liquid pumps.
  • Another participant mentions that many large air compressors are centrifugal, indicating a potential overlap in terminology and function between water pumps and air pumps/compressors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the capability of centrifugal pumps to move air, with some asserting limitations while others suggest possible applications depending on definitions and contexts. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the practicality of using a centrifugal pump for this purpose.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about pump performance, the definitions of air pumps versus fans, and the specific requirements for the application that remain unclear.

Shane Lautner
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I need to deliver air up to 5 meters high. I am thinking of using pump since I can find easily (no buying anything). Is it possible to deliver air using hydraulic centrifugal pump ?
 
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What do you mean by "deliver air to 5 meters high"? What are the actual requirements for flow rate and pressure? What is your application?
 
Generally centrifugal pumps won't pump air, that's why I've spent a significant portion of my life priming the b£&&ers.
 
A centrifugal water pump will have a specified self priming height. That is the height it will lift water when the pump contains air only.
Water pumps have shaft seals that require lubrication and cooling by water. That may be a problem pumping air.
You may need a greater RPM than the bearings are rated to get significant air pressure.

Shane Lautner said:
I need to deliver air up to 5 meters high.
Does that mean you want an output air pressure equivalent to a 5m head of water ?
 
The OP has some very vague questions. Is it possible for a centrifugal pump to move air? Kinda depends on where you draw the line between air pump and fan I suppose. There are some fairly large fans that can move a fair amount of air that closely resemble centrifugal liquid pumps.
 
Many large air compressors are centrifugal, so depending on language barrier issues, we may be talking about a water pump or an air pump/compressor.
 

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