Reciprocating and centrifugal pumps serve different purposes and operate with separate

functions. Centrifugal pumps transport huge amounts of liquid at a time, but the level at which
the centrifugal pump operates is reduced as pressure rises. Reciprocating pumps push liquid out
through a check valve, but the amount of liquid that is released is limited. Due to the differences
in how they operate, they are ideally suited for dissimilar functions.

Reciprocating Pumps
1. Reciprocating pumps operate by moving a plunger back and forth through a cylinder. The
plunger provides pulses of pressure as it moves. Reciprocating pumps can be single
action or double action (pump provides pressure as the piston advances and as it retracts).

Reciprocating Uses
2. Reciprocating pumps are ideal for providing short bursts of high pressure. Examples
include bicycle pumps and well pumps.

Centrifugal Pumps
3. Centrifugal pumps operate by rotating a central impeller. Intake fluid is provided at the
center of the impeller and the spinning acceleration sends it out of the sides of the
impeller to provide pressure.

Centrifugal Uses
4. Centrifugal pumps are ideally suited for constant lower pressures, such as that found in
pool filters.

Pump Comparison
5. For pneumatic tools, a centrifugal pump is better suited due to the constant pressure it can
provide. For filling a pressurized container, the higher peak pressures of a reciprocating
pump is preferred.