Whatever application you’re undertaking, you’ll need the right centrifugal pump and impeller for the job. For fluids that contain large solids or have a higher viscosity, a clear passage through the pump is essential. If your regular pump doesn’t seem to be doing the job, a single screw impeller or vortex impeller centrifugal pump is your best bet.

Vortex pumps are so named because they create a vortex, or whirlpool of sorts, in the fluid being pumped. The impeller is directed away from the flow, allowing large solids and even gases to make their way through the pump, all while avoiding the rotor. It’s this ingenious design that makes the vortex pump the best choice for liquids with the potential for blockages or pump damage.

How Do Vortex Pumps Work?

To generate fluid flow, vortex pumps don’t use centrifugal force. Instead, they utilise two different pumping stages to generate a vortex in the fluid. This effect in the liquid surrounding the impeller pushes it through the pump without centrifugation.

For the pump to be successful, the suction that the vortex creates must be greater than the density of potential blockages. By using powerful pumps that harness enough horsepower, they pull solids into the centre of the vortex, where they break up under high pressure.

The creation of the vortex effect in a liquid is directly related to the fluid itself and its viscosity. If there is the potential for blockages the impellers must be in a recessed position to prevent damage. This does have an impact on the efficiency of the pump. In fact, because of the vortex pump’s non-clog technology, the efficiency of the pump can be lowered up to 50%.

The Advantages of Vortex Pumps…

So, what sets the vortex pump apart from any other pump on the market?

Alternative pumps tend to vibrate a lot more than vortex pumps. This is because vortex pumps do not create oscillations in the discharge pressure.

Another great benefit of vortex pumps comes about as a result of their loose tolerances and use of vortex inductions as the main force, leading to less wear and tear over time.

Compared to other pumps on the market, the recessed impeller pump carries a variety of unique advantages. The impeller can easily handle liquids with solids, but can also work just as well with low flow rates, as well as the fact that the radial force on the impeller is decreased. Having said this, many people still opt to avoid the recessed impeller pump, as it doesn’t boast the same hydraulic efficiency as some other options.

Deciding Which Vortex Pump to Use…

Screw impeller pumps are generally more expensive than vortex pumps, but are cheaper to run long-term. With this in mind, if you or your clients prefer a lower unit cost, an impeller pump will be the most economical. However, if the cost of energy is not as much of a deciding factor, and instead you’d like to protect your pump from corrosion and abrasion, then a vortex pump is a great choice.

If you’re tackling a particularly challenging liquid, instead of thinning down the slurry and creating more problems, vortex slurry pumps are a great alternative. These are designed to create a flow in thick and fibrous slurries while avoiding clogging issues that centrifugal pumps are so prone to. They are much more efficient, less time-consuming, and less likely to cause issues than adhering to mulch manufacturers’ recommended mix ratios.

Ready to Purchase Your Vortex Pump?

Vortex impeller centrifugal pumps use a rotating impeller. This creates a vortex in the liquid flowing through the pump. The fluid’s pressure is increased which breaks up potential blockages, making this the perfect pump for water treatment or gas production. If you’re on the lookout for a high-pressure pump, consider the many benefits of a vortex pump.

For 70 years, Egger Pumps UK has been at the forefront of pumping technology. If you need a vortex pump, Egger Pumps UK could be a solution.

Edward Bertrand