Guide to Liquid Pumps

Pump type

Max flow
ranges

Max
pressure

Self-
priming

Pulseless
flow

Fluid
viscosity

Particulate
matter

Run
dry

Advantages

GPM

L/min

Air-operated
diaphragm

5.0 to
225

19.0 to
851

Up to
125 psi

Excellent

Fair

Medium

Yes

Yes

Use for highly viscous or particulate-laden
fluids and where electricity is not available

Bellows

0.008 to
26.4

0.03 to
100

Up to
73 psi

Good

Poor

Medium

Yes

Yes

Can pump liquids or gases

Centrifugal

2.3 to
1200

8.7 to
4542

Up to
275 psi

Poor

Excellent

Light

No

No

Fluid transfer at high flow rates
and low pressures

Diaphragm

0.003 to
5.2

0.01 to
19.7

Up to
300 psi

Good

Poor

Medium

No

Yes

High-accuracy; for applications
such as pH/ORP control

Double-
diaphragm

1.0 to
4.0

3.79 to
15.1

Up to
95 psi

Excellent

Fair

Medium

Yes

Yes

Use for viscous or
particulate-laden fluids

Drum

6.0 to
63.0

22.7 to
238

Up to
35 psi

Poor

Excellent

Medium

No

No

Economical. Used to pump fluids from drums and cannisters

Flexible
impeller

3.8 to
50.0

14.4 to
189

Up to
60 psi

Excellent

Excellent

Light

No

No

Low-cost utility pump

Flexible
liner

1.0 to
10.0

3.8 to
37.8

Up to
50 psi

Excellent

Excellent

Medium

Yes

Yes

Gentle pumping action uses no
seals—pulseless, can run dry

Gear

0.006 to
74.0

0.026 to
280

Up to
1500 psi

Poor

Excellent

Medium

No

No

Pulseless flow at high pressures

Hand

2.0 to
48

7.6 to
181.7

—

Good

Fair

Light

No

No

Economical. No electrical parts

Hose

0.66 to
68

2.5
257.4

Up to
220 psi

Excellent

Poor

Medium

Yes

Yes

Noncontaminating; Use for high flow and
high pressure applications

Piston

0.004 to
107

0.015 to
405

Up to
5000 psi

Good

Poor

Medium

No

Yes

Highest pressure and accuracy;
ideal for HPLC applications

Pressure
Washer

2.0 to
4.0

7.6 to
15.1

Up to
3000 psi

N/A

Excellent

Light

No

No

High pressure capabilities;
portability, heating

Progressing
cavity

0.5 to
13

1.9 to
49

Up to
100 psi

Fair

Excellent

Very
heavy

Yes

No

Pulseless flow for highly viscous
or particulate-laden fluids

Rotary vane

0.75 to
4.3

2.8 to
16.3

Up to
240 psi

Fair

Very
good

Light

No

No

High-pressure capabilities;
low shear

Submersible

3.0 to
180

11.4 to
681.3

Up to
50 psi

Poor

Excellent

Light

No

No

Use for emptying tanks or sumps

Syringe

0.002 to
0.04

0.008 to
0.15

Up to
40 psi

N/A

Excellent

Light

No

Yes

Low flow rates at high pressure and accuracy