CHAPTER 6
VELOCIS SOLUTIONS @2018
17
Reciprocating pump
It is the type of positive displacement pump that moves an amount of liquid by piston or plunger.
This type of pump is mainly used when higher head is required. It is also the best choice while
needing to pump slurries or highly viscous liquid. Maintenance cost is less than that of centrifugal
one because of lower speed.
Rotating crane maintains reciprocating motion by moving piston. The valves of the pump consist
of disc and spring and forced to open and close by fluid pressure as it is indicated in Figure 7.14.
Figure 7.14: Parts of reciprocating pump
In accordance with driver reciprocating pump can be power pump or direct-acting. The driver of
power pump is motor or turbine and that of direct-acting is steam, gas or air.
The most used type of reciprocating pump in petroleum industry is indicated in Figure 7.15. Since
fixed packing provides a better seal than piston rings, plunger type is more employed.
