When to Consider a Centrifugal Pump vs. Other Pump Types
If there’s one question we get all the time at EV Pump, it’s this: “How do I know if a centrifugal pump is the right choice for my fluid handling...
We specialize in providing high-performance fluid handling solutions
designed to keep industries running smoothly.
- Clark Edwards, Owner
4 min read
EV Pump
:
Jul 24, 2025 12:28:07 PM
At EV Pump, we’re constantly asked the same question: “What kind of pump do I actually need for this job?”
And it’s a good question - because the wrong pump can waste time, energy, and budget, while the right one can boost efficiency and extend equipment life.
Whether you’re working in municipal water, oil & gas, construction, or manufacturing, choosing the best pump type for your fluid system comes down to understanding how they’re designed to perform. Below, we’ve laid out a side-by-side comparison of the most common pump types so you can make an informed call, fast.
Pump Type |
Best For |
Key Advantage |
---|---|---|
Gear Pump |
Precise fluid transfer |
Consistent output, high pressure |
Centrifugal Pump |
High-volume, clean fluid systems |
Efficient continuous flow |
Diaphragm Pump |
Abrasives, slurries, and corrosives |
Self-priming, leak-free |
Peristaltic Pump |
Ultra-clean, contamination-sensitive fluids |
Fluid only contacts tubing |
Charge Pump |
Hydraulic system support |
Maintains system pressure |
Positive Displacement |
Viscous or high-pressure applications |
High accuracy, consistent flow |
Grinder Pump |
Sewage and wastewater with solids |
Grinds solids before pumping |
Mud Pump |
Thick slurries and drilling fluids |
Handles high pressure and abrasives |
Surface Pump |
Above-ground water transfer |
Easy maintenance, great for irrigation |
Trash Pump |
Dirty water with large solids |
Debris-tolerant, ideal for dewatering |
Let’s break down each type of pump and what makes it unique - so you can confidently match your system needs with the right technology.
Centrifugal pumps are the backbone of many fluid handling systems. They use a rotating impeller to move fluid through a system with continuous, steady flow. They’re ideal for:
Water treatment and distribution
Industrial processing systems
Irrigation and agriculture
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
Simple design, low maintenance, and excellent for high-flow, low-viscosity fluids.
👉 Learn more: When to Consider a Centrifugal Pump vs. Other Pump Types
Unlike centrifugal pumps, positive displacement pumps move a fixed amount of fluid with each cycle. This makes them ideal for precise dosing or moving thick, slow-moving fluids under pressure.
Thick oils and lubricants
Chemical dosing
Metered fluid systems
High-viscosity applications
Accurate, pulse-free delivery—perfect for chemicals, oils, or high-viscosity applications.
👉 Learn more: Positive Displacement Pumps: The Ideal Solution for High-Viscosity Fluids
A subset of positive displacement pumps
Gear pumps use meshing gears to push fluid through a chamber. They offer smooth, controlled flow, especially in metering or dosing systems.
Lubrication systems
Chemical metering
Fuel and hydraulic oil transfer
OEM process systems
Reliable high-pressure output and excellent for handling lubricating fluids.
These pumps use a flexible diaphragm to move fluid and create pressure. They’re self-priming, can run dry, and isolate fluid from pump components, making them excellent for chemical processing or waste systems.
Chemical processing
Sludge and slurry handling
Wastewater systems
Oil & gas field operation
Safe for hazardous fluids and built to handle solids or sludge.
👉 Learn more: How Does a Diaphragm Pump Operate in a Fluid Handling System?
Peristaltic pumps move fluid by compressing tubing with rotating rollers. The fluid never touches the pump itself, which eliminates contamination risk.
Pharmaceuticals and biotech
Food and beverage processing
Lab and test environments
Dialysis and medical systems
Sanitary, easy to clean, and ideal for pharmaceuticals, food, or lab applications.
👉 Learn more: Peristaltic Pumps: Understanding Function, Benefits, and Applications
Charge pumps play a critical role in closed-loop hydraulic systems often used in construction equipment and heavy-duty field applications. These systems are only as strong as the infrastructure supporting them. For high-performance builds that require specialty welding and mechanical fabrication, check out Sprint Mechanical’s guide on industrial construction.
Hydraulic power systems
Mobile machinery
Heavy-duty industrial hydraulics
Construction equipment
Maintains optimal system pressure and supports high-performance hydraulic functions.
👉 Learn more: Charge Pumps: Essential for Maintaining Optimal Pump Performance
These pumps shred solids before moving wastewater under pressure. Common in lift stations and sewer systems.
Lift stations
Sewage systems
Commercial kitchens
Industrial wastewater applications
Prevents clogs, handles tough solids, and works well in small-diameter piping systems.
👉 Learn more: What is a Grinder Pump and How Does it Work?
Mud pumps are built to move heavy slurries and drilling fluids—especially in oilfield and trenchless drilling applications.
Horizontal directional drilling (HDD)
Oil & gas drilling rigs
Slurry recirculation
Mining and geotechnical operations
Withstands abrasive materials and delivers the high-pressure circulation required in deep drilling systems.
👉 Learn more: What is a Mud Pump?
Surface pumps sit above the fluid source and pull water through suction. They’re commonly used in residential, agricultural, or light-duty commercial settings.
Irrigation and agriculture
Tank and pond transfer
Light commercial water systems
Rural property water supply
Easy to maintain and perfect for irrigation or tank transfers where suction depth is limited.
👉 Learn more: Do you need a well pump replacement or your surface pump serviced?
Trash pumps are centrifugal in design but feature larger impellers and openings that allow them to pass solids without clogging.
Job site dewatering
Emergency flood pumping
Agricultural runoff
Utility pits and excavation sites
Ideal for fast, debris-tolerant dewatering in harsh job site environments.
👉 Learn more: What Is a Trash Pump and What Is It Used For?
Choosing the right pump starts with asking a few key questions:
What type of fluid are you moving? (Viscous, clean, corrosive, solid-laden?)
What flow rate and pressure do you need?
How far and how high does the fluid need to travel?
Is the pump above or below the fluid source?
How critical is sanitation, noise, or energy efficiency?
At EV Pump, we help engineers, operators, and project managers choose the best fluid handling equipment for the job. From centrifugal to positive displacement, we’ve worked with every pump type across nearly every industry.
Need help figuring out your next system?
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EV Pump & Equipment is a leading provider of high-performance fluid handling solutions, specializing in custom pump systems and comprehensive services for industries like oil & gas, petrochemical, and municipal water. With a deep passion for pumps and a commitment to excellence, we deliver reliable, efficient solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of every client. Our hands-on approach and elite equipment ensure that your operations run smoothly and efficiently, every time.
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