What Is A High Pressure Pump And What Are Its Uses?

A high pressure pump is broadly defined as anysmaller piston is moved by the hydraulic piston, it
pump that can generate high discharge pressure,either takes suction or pressurizes and discharges
generally in excess of 800 psi. Pumps thatthe working fluid at very high pressure. There are
generate pressures between 800 and 3000 psitwo types of intensifiers and based on their
are known as moderate high pressure pumps,construction and working, they are termed single
while pumps that generate anywhere betweenshot intensifiers and reciprocating intensifiers. A
3000 psi and 5000 psi are known as very highsingle shot intensifier consists of one large
pressure pumps. Apart from these pressurehydraulic actuator piston and a single, smaller, high
levels, there is another category of pressurepressure piston - both connected by a common
pumps known as ultra high pressure pumps thatpiston rod. When the large piston is moved, it
generate pressures significantly in excess of 5000makes the smaller piston move and fluid discharge
psi, in the range of 10,000 psi to 40,000 psi.takes place. When the larger piston is returned to
Common types of pumps used for high pressureits original position, by a spring or air-retraction,
applications are reciprocating positive displacementthe smaller piston moves back, taking in the
pumps, particularly plunger pumps, which aresuction.
capable of handling high pressure applications easily.On the other hand, for reciprocating intensifiers,
Though in many cases pistons are also used withthere is one large hydraulic piston mounted in the
high pressure pumps, they are usually used onlycenter of a piston rod with two smaller high
for applications that require working pressurespressure pistons on either end of the rod. When
below 1000 psi. One common type of positivethe pressurized hydraulic fluid acts on one side of
displacement pump used for high pressurethe large piston and moves it, one of the smaller
applications is the triplex plunger pump. Triplexpistons takes suction from the low pressure line,
plunger pumps consist of three plungers driven bywhile the other smaller piston simultaneously
a single prime mover. The parallel use of threepressurizes the fluid in its bore and discharges it at
plungers gives the triplex pump a discharge forhigh pressure. Alternately, when the hydraulic
every 120 degrees rotation of the prime mover.pressure acts on the opposite side of the larger
Another similar type of reciprocating pump thatpiston, the smaller piston, which was taking
performs high pressure pumping duties is thesuction, pressurizes the fluid and discharges it, and
quintuplex plunger pump, which is, as the namethe smaller piston that was discharging, takes the
suggests, a pump with four plungers driven by asuction.
single prime mover. Quintuplex plunger pumps andThese high pressure pumps have found uses in a
triplex pumps are commonly known as powervariety of high-pressure applications, with
pumps and generally found in high-pressurereciprocating pumps such as triplex pumps,
applications.commonly being used in high pressure applications
A device that has found widespread adoption insuch as water pumps for water jet cutting
high pressure applications is the hydraulically drivensystems plus water jet cleaning systems. Some
intensifier or amplifier. These devices use hydraulicother applications where high pressure pumps are
pressure to significantly increase the pressure ofused include foam firefighting, reverse osmosis
the fluid being pumped. The intensifier consists ofdesalination, as well as pumping of liquid CO2 and
a common rod connecting two pistons withhigh vapor liquids.
different bore sizes. When hydraulic fluid acts onTo find and contact a high pressure pump
the larger piston, it causes the smaller piston tomanufacturer, check out for a detailed list.
be moved. Depending on the direction in which the