Horizontal vs. Vertical Centrifugal Pumps: What’s the Difference?

Centrifugal pumps are essential for several applications due to their versatility and efficiency in liquid flow and pressure. Moreover, these in-line pumps are available in two key configurations, including horizontal and vertical. This article explores these pump configurations and highlights some key differences between them.

Understanding the Differences Between Vertical and Horizontal Centrifugal Pumps

While vertical and horizontal centrifugal pumps offer similar features for industrial applications, they deliver distinct configurations. Understanding the differences between these two pump types is essential for identifying the ideal one for a specific industrial application. Horizontal and vertical pumps differ in design, efficiency, working temperature and pressure, applications, maintenance, and installation.

Design

Manufacturers design horizontal and vertical centrifugal pumps in light of different shaft orientations. While designers place the shaft of horizontal centrifugal pumps horizontally between overhangs or bearings, they place vertical ones vertically. 

Industrial operators account for several factors when identifying the ideal orientation for their applications, including space availability. For example, horizontal centrifugal pumps require comparatively large floor space and reduced headroom. Conversely, vertical centrifugal pumps require sizeable headroom and reduced floor space due to their orientation.

Efficiency

Horizontal centrifugal pumps have higher efficiency than vertical ones. Hence, the former is ideal for high efficiency-intensive applications. Learn how to read centrifugal pump curves.

Applications

Horizontal centrifugal pumps are ideal for high-temperature applications. These pumps are also appropriate for spraying systems, water circulation, liquid transfer, and other general-purpose applications. Conversely, vertical centrifugal pumps are viable for booster stations, condensate, lift stations, and sump applications.

Maintenance and Installation

While it is easy to maintain and install horizontal centrifugal pumps, vertical centrifugal pumps are comparatively hard to maintain and install.

Vertical Pump Pros & Cons

Since vertical pumps occupy less floor space, they are ideal for facilities with limited surface area and small footprints. Moreover, the capability of the pumps to handle high temperature and pressure fluids net positive suction pressure head (NPSH) modifications make them ideal for several applications.

Conversely, vertical pumps are harder to install and maintain due to their need for large headrooms. Operators must also account for pits and buckets in their facilities, especially for large multistage vertical pumps. The pumps also have motor selection limitations, i.e., vertical pumps are limited to electric motors. Finally, vertical pumps are susceptible to mechanical failures due to some operational challenges at high suction pressures. This issue minimizes their efficiency for several applications.

Horizontal Pump Pros & Cons

The easy accessibility of internal components allows for rapid installation and maintenance of horizontal pumps. Moreover, this pump type enables operators to identify and select the ideal shaft design for relevant pumping pressure. The orientation of horizontal centrifugal pumps allows easy and secure attachment of external accessories such as fuel engines, turbines, and electric motors. The low headroom of horizontal pumps makes them ideal for indoor applications with limited vertical space availability.

However, horizontal pumps occupy a comparatively large footprint, making their installation in small acreage facilities problematic.

PumpWorks is a Leading Supplier of Horizontal and Vertical Pumps

At PumpWorks, we offer exceptional services in centrifugal pump systems. We build next-gen horizontal and vertical pumps to meet several customer and industrial requirements.

Contact us today for more information on available centrifugal pumps for your applications.