Big pumps and little pumps; they are everywhere you look, or don’t look. They come in all sizes and are designed to do so many tasks everyday that we all take for granted; from pumping the gas from the tank to the engine to pumping millions of gallons of oil from wells. Industrial pumps are designed to be used by those who work in heavy-duty or high-yield industries such as agriculture. They are normally used to move a gas or a liquid. It has the intention of moving the fluid or gas with a physical or mechanical action. A pump displaces a volume by physical or mechanical action. Pumps fall into five major groups: direct lift, displacement, velocity, buoyancy and gravity pumps. There are different varieties and functions and each work in a slightly different way. This article briefly describes the main pumps used in industry. These include 12 volt pumps, positive displacement pumps, reciprocating, and centrifugal pumps. Positive displacement pumps include piston, diaphragm, screw, and rotary pumps.

12-volt pumps are compact and light-weight, yet still provide a comparable level of operation as the larger models. Many submersible and sump pumps are 12 volt pumps. Many of the following pumps come in 12 volt models.

Centrifugal pumps operate by using centrifugal force to pull liquid away from the center of the container, where it can then be sent through an outlet source for dispersal and application.

A chlorine pump operates on the diaphragm system, which is one type of liquid-metering system. Chlorine pumps, however, are made of a special material which enables them to withstand the strong chemical effects of chlorine.

Many pumps are considered “liquid-metering” pumps. These include diaphragm, injection, spray, piston, and piston spray models. A diaphragm pump operates by increasing and decreasing volume of internal space of pump head. As the volume changes, the liquid or contents is directed through the outlet port, where it is then directed to the application area.

To understand how an injection pump works, think about how an ordinary hypodermic needle operates. The applicator (nozzle, spray head, or whatever type it is) is directed at the area to which it should go; a plunger is then depressed, releasing the contents.

Spray pumps also work on the same principal as the diaphragm method; however, the contents are released through spray nozzles that can be adjusted for more direct application.

Piston pumps work by the opening & closing of pistons designed to allow the release of contents through various types of applicators. Piston spray pumps work in this fashion, but direct the contents to a spray head for release and application.

High-pressure brass pumps work by increasing the pressure inside the chamber until the contents are expelled. Brass is often used in these types of pumps to counteract corroding effects of pesticides & herbicides.

Any one of the pumps listed and described above is effective for any job that requires such equipment. Since those in the agriculture business may often grow more than one type of crop, however, it may be necessary to have different pumps for different fields. By determining the delicacy or hardiness of plants, the amount that has been planted, and other factors, the farmer can then decide which pumps are right for a specific set of crops.