What’s a progressing cavity pump?

Print anything with Printful



A progressing cavity pump uses a rotor to move fluid through small chambers, allowing for consistent flow and pressure control. It is used in various applications, including oil drilling, sewage systems, and chemical manufacturing. The design minimizes wear and provides precise control. It was first developed in the 1930s and has various names.

Sometimes referred to as an eccentric screw pump or simply a cavity pump, a progressing cavity pump is a device that moves fluid through a series of small chambers or cavities with the use of a rotor. This type of action allows you to control the flow of liquid in such a way as to ensure that the flow pattern is consistent and easily managed. Pumps of this type are used in a number of different applications, including drilling for oil, water and natural gas.

While there are slightly different design elements in the different versions of the progressing cavity pump, most models feature a helical rotor along with a series of progressively smaller chambers or cavities. A stator, usually rubber, works in tandem with the rotor to create a secure seal. As the rotor begins to rotate, each of the chambers or cavities also moves, filling with liquid as the rotation continues.

The advantage of this design is that progressing cavity pumps can be used to move the liquid at a slower rate, applying varying rates of pressure to the liquid. Wear on the pump itself is minimized, as each successive cavity only has to contend with the pressure velocity relative to the movement of the fluid into the next chamber. This helps maintain a constant balance in pressure while still providing the operator with a degree of control that is not possible with other types of pumps.

There are a number of different applications for the progressing cavity pump. In the case of oil wells, this type of device is ideal for pumping oil through a well and into storage containers. Many sewage systems use this type of pump as a means of controlling the flow of wastewater and sludge through the sewage process. It is not unusual for companies that use large quantities of chemicals in their manufacturing processes to use a progressing cavity pump to make sure that the exact amount of each chemical is used in each batch of product.

There are other uses for the progressing cavity pump. Wineries can use the pump to move liquid through the distillation process at a measured pace. Shipyards and other marine centers often use progressing cavity pumps as part of the process of lubricating engines and filling fuel tanks. Such a pump can also be used on construction projects to move concrete and mortar into place.

First developed in the 1930s, there are several names for the progressing cavity pump. Some of these names have to do with the intended purpose of the pump, while others are connected to a brand name for a pump manufactured by a specific company. While the name varies, the basic function of progressively moving liquid through a controlled channel of chambers remains the same.




Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN


Skip to content