PUMPS

Feb 2005 vol.
2_iss2
Last month’s issue of Run Times featured the three most common types of
centrifugal pump impellers; open, semi-open and enclosed. These impeller
styles are found in the majority of centrifugal pumps and work well over a
broad range of applications. In this issue we’ll discuss three more specialized
impeller styles and their application.
Dale B. Andrews – Editor
Recessed Impellers
Recessed impeller pumps are characterized by impeller vanes that either

do not extend into the pump casing. or extend only partially into the
casing, essentially leaving the casing as an open flow passage. Recessed
impeller pumps are well suited for handling large solids. The maximum
solid size is usually limited by the pump suction opening such that any
solid that enters the pump will pass through.
In operation, some of the fluid is drawn into the rotating impeller and
discharged back into the casing through centrifugal action. Through
fluid dynamics, the partial flow through the impeller imparts a
centrifugal rotating motion to the entire fluid body within the casing. Large solids entering the
casing are transported by the rotating fluid body from inlet to outlet without necessarily making
contact with the impeller.
In addition to handling large solids, a recessed impeller pump will handle a higher concentration
of entrained gas than a traditional pump with the impeller centered in the casing. In a traditional
centrifugal pump, gas accumulating at the impeller eye prevents fluid from reaching any down
stream part of the impeller. This results in a breakdown of the pumping action. In a recessed
impeller pump, gas entering the pump does not have to pass through the impeller to exit the
pump. Additionally, gas present in one area of the impeller does not prevent other parts of the
impeller from pumping. Gas handling capabilities in excess of 30% by volume have been
reported with this style of impeller. However, the actual concentration of entrained gas that can
be handled for any specific application is dependent on the phase characteristics of the fluid and
should be determined by test.
2005 Lawrence Pumps Inc. 371 Market St., Lawrence. MA. 01843. Tel :(978) 682-5248 Fax:(978) 975-4291
Web http://www.lawrencepumps.com Contact: dandrews@lawrencepumps.com
Page 1 of 3
The efficiency of a recessed impeller pump will be less than the efficiency of a traditional
centrifugal pump. Efficiency losses result from flow recirculation around the impeller passages,
and from the inefficiency of a flow pattern where fluid rotates around the casing numerous times
prior to exiting the discharge. Efficiencies in the 40%-50% range are common for recessed
impeller pumps.
A recessed impeller pump is sometimes promoted for gentle handling, but caution should be the
rule before investing. Much of the energy being imparted to the fluid is lost to turbulence and
friction, both of which conflict with gentle handling. A better style of pump for gentle handling
applications is the screw centrifugal pump described below.
Screw Centrifugal Pump
The screw centrifugal pump impeller is shaped like a tapered

Archimedes screw. Originally developed for pumping live fish, the
screw centrifugal pump has become popular for many solids handling
applications, especially those where gentle handling is an important
consideration.
Most screw centrifugal impellers have a single helical vane wrapping

around an expanding hub from inlet to outlet. The single passage
allows for an easy transition of fluid and solids from the pump inlet
onto the impeller. Its inducer-like design exhibits good NPSHR
characteristics. Liquid entering the impeller is accelerated more
gradually along the smoothly expanding hub to the pump outlet than
with a traditional impeller design.
The screw centrifugal pump is a popular choice for handling delicate

products such as food and crystals. Its low shear characteristic
reduces emulsification when pumping mixtures. The pump’s ability
to pass long fibrous materials such as rope without clogging makes it
a frequent choice for municipal waste water applications.
A screw centrifugal pump typically has an operating efficiency of

70% to 85%. It has a relatively steeply rising head/capacity curve
shape giving it good flow control capability over its allowable
operating range.
The relatively large size of the screw impeller is a primary

disadvantage of this style pump. The heavy impeller mandates a
large shaft and power frame to limit shaft deflection; which increases the unit cost. In addition,
the single vane impeller is prone to high side thrust when operating off-design. A 1x rpm vane
passing frequency vibration, that sets up as the single vane outlet passes the casing cutwater
during each rotation, is not uncommon. Multi-vane screw impellers that provide smoother
operation are available. The primary trade-off is solid size capability.
Page 2 of 3
Disc Impellers
Disc impellers incorporate two or more parallel discs and do

not have traditional impeller vanes. Instead this design relies
upon fluid friction and viscosity to generate a pumping action.
As liquid enters the disc impeller, friction between the fluid
boundary layer and the disc’s surface accelerates the boundary
layer to about the same speed as the impeller. Resistance to
sheer (or viscosity) between the boundary layer and the
adjacent fluid layer creates motion in the adjacent layer as
well. Each layer in turn is set in motion by the viscous drag
from the adjacent layer.
Slip, or the difference in speed between the disc and each

layer, increases with distance from the impeller. The
effectiveness of a disc impeller is related to the spacing of the
discs and the viscosity of the fluid. Close disc spacing and higher viscosity produce better
performance than low viscosities with wider disc spacing.
A Disc impeller is well suited for gentle handling of delicate materials. It also performs well in
abrasive services as there is little relative motion between the fluid contacting the impeller and
the impeller itself. Disc impellers have entrained gas capabilities superior to standard impeller
pumps, as gas can enter the impeller and move through the boundary layers without impediment.
The efficiency of a disc impeller is less than that of a standard centrifugal pump. The efficiency
of a disc impeller pump is commonly in the 35%-50% range. Because it relies on close disc
spacing for effective performance, a disc pump is typically not well suited for large diameter
solids.
Summary
All of the impeller styles discussed in the past two issues of Run Times are available in pumps
operating in applications with low to moderate flows and heads1. No one impeller is the best
solution for every application. It is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages relative
to each application when choosing. Next month we’ll discus some of the impeller and pump
designs used in low flow – high head applications.
1
Specific speed. (Ns) between 15 to 40 (SI), 800-2100 (US). (See our Aug 2004 issue for a
discussion of Ns).
Page 3 of 3

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Feb 2005 vol.

Dale B. Andrews – Editor

Recessed impeller pumps are characterized by impeller vanes that either

Screw Centrifugal Pump

The screw centrifugal pump impeller is shaped like a tapered

Most screw centrifugal impellers have a single helical vane wrapping

The screw centrifugal pump is a popular choice for handling delicate

A screw centrifugal pump typically has an operating efficiency of

The relatively large size of the screw impeller is a primary

Disc impellers incorporate two or more parallel discs and do

Slip, or the difference in speed between the disc and each

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