A water ring vacuum pump works by creating a liquid ring inside the pump casing, which forms chambers that expand and contract to draw in and compress gas.
Working Principle Explained
Here's a breakdown of how a water ring vacuum pump operates:
- Impeller Rotation and Liquid Ring Formation: When the pump starts, the impeller begins to rotate. As stated in the liquid ring vacuum pump working principle, when pump starts operating the impellers, the operating fluid starts rotating. Due to centrifugal force, the operating fluid (typically water) is forced outwards, forming a rotating "liquid ring" against the inner wall of the cylindrical casing.
- Eccentric Impeller Placement: The impeller is positioned eccentrically within the pump casing. This means it's not centered, which is crucial to the pump's operation.
- Chamber Creation: As the impeller rotates, the liquid ring doesn't move uniformly. Because of the eccentric placement, the space between the impeller blades and the liquid ring varies. This creates crescent-shaped chambers that increase and decrease in volume as the impeller turns. The fluid is pushed against the cylindrical casing walls creating a void at the center.
- Suction: As a chamber's volume increases, it creates a vacuum, drawing gas into the pump through the inlet port.
- Compression: As the impeller continues to rotate, the chamber's volume decreases, compressing the gas trapped inside.
- Discharge: When the chamber reaches its minimum volume, the compressed gas is discharged through the outlet port, along with some of the liquid ring fluid.
- Liquid Ring Replenishment: A continuous supply of liquid is needed to maintain the liquid ring and to cool the pump.
Summary Table
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Rotation | Impeller rotates, creating centrifugal force. |
| 2. Ring Form | Liquid (usually water) forms a rotating ring against the casing wall. |
| 3. Chambers | Eccentric impeller creates varying-volume chambers between blades and liquid ring. |
| 4. Suction | Expanding chamber draws in gas. |
| 5. Compression | Decreasing chamber compresses the gas. |
| 6. Discharge | Compressed gas and some liquid are discharged. |
| 7. Replenish | Liquid ring is continuously replenished. |
Applications
Water ring vacuum pumps are commonly used in industries like:
- Chemical processing
- Power generation
- Food and beverage
- Mining
- Pharmaceuticals
They are suitable for handling wet gases and vapors.
