Guide to Liquid Pumps
Use the guide below to help you select the best type of pump for your application. This information is intended as a general guideline and will not hold true for all pumps within a classification; check individual pump specifications on the given product pages for complete details.
Pump type |
Max flow |
Max |
Self- |
Pulseless |
Fluid |
Particulate |
Run |
Advantages |
|
GPM |
L/min |
||||||||
Air-operated |
5.0 to |
19.0 to |
Up to |
Excellent |
Fair |
Medium |
Yes |
Yes |
Use for highly viscous or particulate-laden |
Bellows |
0.008 to |
0.03 to |
Up to |
Good |
Poor |
Medium |
Yes |
Yes |
Can pump liquids or gases |
Centrifugal |
2.3 to |
8.7 to |
Up to |
Poor |
Excellent |
Light |
No |
No |
Fluid transfer at high flow rates |
Diaphragm |
0.003 to |
0.01 to |
Up to |
Good |
Poor |
Medium |
No |
Yes |
High-accuracy; for applications |
Double- |
1.0 to |
3.79 to |
Up to |
Excellent |
Fair |
Medium |
Yes |
Yes |
Use for viscous or |
Drum |
6.0 to |
22.7 to |
Up to |
Poor |
Excellent |
Medium |
No |
No |
Economical. Used to pump fluids from drums and cannisters |
Flexible |
3.8 to |
14.4 to |
Up to |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Light |
No |
No |
Low-cost utility pump |
Flexible |
1.0 to |
3.8 to |
Up to |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Medium |
Yes |
Yes |
Gentle pumping action uses no |
Gear |
0.006 to |
0.026 to |
Up to |
Poor |
Excellent |
Medium |
No |
No |
Pulseless flow at high pressures |
Hand |
2.0 to |
7.6 to |
— |
Good |
Fair |
Light |
No |
No |
Economical. No electrical parts |
Hose |
0.66 to |
2.5 |
Up to |
Excellent |
Poor |
Medium |
Yes |
Yes |
Noncontaminating; Use for high flow and |
Piston |
0.004 to |
0.015 to |
Up to |
Good |
Poor |
Medium |
No |
Yes |
Highest pressure and accuracy; |
Pressure |
2.0 to |
7.6 to |
Up to |
N/A |
Excellent |
Light |
No |
No |
High pressure capabilities; |
Progressing |
0.5 to |
1.9 to |
Up to |
Fair |
Excellent |
Very |
Yes |
No |
Pulseless flow for highly viscous |
Rotary vane |
0.75 to |
2.8 to |
Up to |
Fair |
Very |
Light |
No |
No |
High-pressure capabilities; |
Submersible |
3.0 to |
11.4 to |
Up to |
Poor |
Excellent |
Light |
No |
No |
Use for emptying tanks or sumps |
Syringe |
0.002 to |
0.008 to |
Up to |
N/A |
Excellent |
Light |
No |
Yes |
Low flow rates at high pressure and accuracy |