On the stage of modern industrial production, pump equipment plays a crucial role. They are like the bloodline of the industrial sector, constantly transporting various fluids. Among them, cam rotor pump and centrifugal pump are two common pump types, each with its own advantages and widely used in different industrial scenarios. Today, we will start from the characteristics and applicable scenarios of both, explore their performance advantages, and under what circumstances cam rotor pumps can replace centrifugal pumps. We hope to provide reference for everyone to choose pumps!

Working principle

Cam rotor pump: pumping is achieved by rotating the rotor. When the rotor rotates, the volume between them changes, thereby achieving fluid suction and discharge. This pumping method gives cam rotor pumps significant advantages in conveying high viscosity and high solid content fluids.

Centrifugal pump: relying on centrifugal force to eject liquid. When the motor drives the pump shaft to rotate, the liquid is thrown from the center of the impeller to the edge of the impeller under the action of centrifugal force, thereby achieving pumping. This pumping method enables centrifugal pumps to have good performance in conveying low viscosity, clean liquids.

Performance advantages

1. Work efficiency and energy consumption

Cam rotor pump: The pump efficiency is usually between 60% and 92%, and the energy consumption is relatively low.

Centrifugal pump: High efficiency at the optimal operating point, but severe reflux and low efficiency at high outlet pressure.

2. Self suction ability and suction range

Cam rotor pump: It has good self-priming ability, with a self-priming height of up to 9 meters, allowing for short-term dry operation.

Centrifugal pump: It does not have self-priming ability and must pass through auxiliary equipment. The suction distance should not exceed 5 meters, which can easily cause cavitation.

3. Starting torque and smooth operation

Cam rotor pump: Low starting torque, can be manually rotated, and has low noise and vibration during operation.

Centrifugal pump: The motor torque is directly transmitted to the pump shaft through the coupling, and the instantaneous current is high when starting.

4. Reversibility of conveying direction

Cam rotor pump: designed with a completely symmetrical structure, reverse rotation can be achieved by changing the wiring direction, and is widely used in membrane treatment.

Centrifugal pump: cannot be reversed, and the seal is under pressure during reverse conveying.

5. Tolerance to dry operation

Cam rotor pump: The mechanical seal operates in the immersion of lubricating oil, and even when running dry, it will not cause a sharp temperature rise and malfunction.

Centrifugal pump: The gap between the rotating and fixed components is very small, which can cause serious wear, heating, and even shaft holding during dry operation.

6. Range of conveying medium

Cam rotor pump: The flow chamber is wide and will not block the inlet and outlet of the pump, making it suitable for conveying fluids containing soft particles, flocs, and impurities.

Centrifugal pump: Suitable for conveying clean water or similar media, there may be problems such as blockage and wear when conveying high viscosity and high solid content fluids.

The situation where cam rotor pump replaces centrifugal pump

Under what circumstances can a cam rotor pump replace a centrifugal pump? This mainly depends on the specific application requirements. Below are a few occasions where cam rotor pumps can replace centrifugal pumps, for your reference only!

1. In situations where self-priming ability is required

Centrifugal pumps themselves do not have self-priming capabilities and must be achieved through external devices such as vacuum pumps or pump filling devices. This feature is particularly inconvenient in application scenarios that require quick startup or frequent start stop. In contrast, cam rotor pumps have good self-priming ability due to their unique structure and working principle, with a self-priming height of up to 8.5 meters or even higher, and allow for short-term dry operation. Therefore, in situations where self-priming capability is required, such as mobile pump trucks, emergency drainage systems, and water supply systems that require rapid response, cam rotor pumps can better meet the demand and become a substitute for centrifugal pumps.

2. Handling situations containing particulate matter or viscous media

Centrifugal pumps are prone to clogging, wear, and other issues when handling media containing particles or viscous substances, which can affect the performance and lifespan of the pump. The cam rotor pump, on the other hand, has extremely strong wear resistance to particulate matter and other solid media due to its rubber rotor as the overcurrent component. At the same time, its speed is low, and the medium is transported from the inlet end to the outlet end by atmospheric pressure in the pump chamber, without blockage or entanglement, making it very suitable for handling fluids containing particles or viscous media. For example, in sewage treatment plants, petrochemical industry, and food processing industry, cam rotor pumps can efficiently and stably process various complex media, replacing centrifugal pumps to complete work tasks. 

3. Occasions that require low maintenance costs and convenient maintenance

Although centrifugal pumps have a simple structure and are easy to maintain, their maintenance costs may be higher in certain application scenarios. For example, in the petroleum and petrochemical industry, pumps have a long operating time, with continuous operation time possibly exceeding 8 hours, and the medium is complex and variable, causing significant wear and tear on the pump. At this point, the advantages of cam rotor pumps become apparent. The high-precision clearance fit between the rotor and the housing is strong in wear resistance, and the maintenance method is simple and convenient. When replacing accessories, there is no need to disassemble pipelines and transmission devices, and a single person can complete maintenance and replacement work in a short period of time, greatly reducing maintenance costs and downtime.

4. In situations where there are specific requirements for the conveying direction

Centrifugal pumps can only transport media in one direction during operation and cannot be reversed. The cam rotor pump, on the other hand, has a completely symmetrical structural design and can be reversed by changing the wiring direction. This feature gives cam rotor pumps a unique advantage in situations where bidirectional medium delivery is required. For example, in the membrane treatment process, it may be necessary to adjust the direction of medium delivery according to process requirements, and the cam rotor pump can easily cope with this. 

5. Occasions with high requirements for dry operation

During dry operation of centrifugal pumps, the small gap between rotating and fixed components can easily cause serious wear, heat generation, and even shaft holding problems. The mechanical seal of the cam rotor pump operates in the immersion of lubricating oil, and even if it runs dry, its temperature will not rise sharply, causing failure. Therefore, in situations where complex working conditions such as dry operation or brief interruption need to be addressed, cam rotor pumps are more reliable and stable.