High-pressure pumps are industrial pumps or machine tools that operate at high pressure or flow rates. In this type of application, the pumps deliver a flow rate of 5-300 GPM (19-855 l/min) and pressures as great as 40,000 psi (280 MPa).
Some typical applications are listed below:
- Cleaning Vehicles
Using high-pressure pumps to spray water on cars, buses and trucks have become an increasingly popular means of cleaning the exterior portion of vehicles. Usually, these types of equipment are rented from a car wash company, and the use of high-pressure pumps saves time and money.
- Cleaning Sidewalks and Driveways
Most people use high-pressure pumps to clean their sidewalks, driveways, and decks at home because it is relatively inexpensive and time-saving. It also removes insects, dirt, and other debris while killing unwanted weeds in the lawn, all in one shot.
- Water Well Drilling
It is ideal for water well drilling operations because it requires specialized equipment to drill vertically through layers of earth before the high-pressure pumps are applied to get groundwater samples for analysis. The high pressure can be used to make sure that no contamination occurs while obtaining samples.
- Irrigation
High-pressure pumps are also used in irrigation to deliver water needed for vegetables, plants, lawns, and other plants that require large amounts of water. The high pressure allows for a better distribution of the liquid through the soil without it being absorbed too quickly or wasted where plants cannot utilize it.
- Fire Fighting
High-pressure pumps are also used in firefighting to extinguish fires involving gases or chemicals that require special handling. Some of the high-pressure liquids used for this purpose include carbon dioxide, foam solutions, and water. Additional use is in aircraft fire fighting by airport fire crews.
- Decontamination and Deodorization
These pumps are used explicitly in the process of decontaminating and deodorizing rooms or equipment. It can also remove paints, coatings, and oily materials from surfaces with the appropriate solution at high pressure.
- Cooling Towers and Chillers
Another use of high-pressure pumps is to cool towers and chillers in air conditioning and refrigeration. The system can move heat from high-temperature areas to low or into a cooling tower where it is rejected to the atmosphere through evaporation.
- Chemical Processes
These pumps are also used in chemical processes to transfer fluids between vessels, piping, and storage tanks. It can move liquids between a reservoir and chemical reactor or a water treatment system.
- Oil Drilling
A high-pressure pump is also used for oil drilling, an operation where holes are drilled deep into Earth’s surface to uncover hydrocarbon deposits such as crude oil, natural gas, and coal. In this case, the high-pressure pumps are used to pump drilling fluid and water into the well.
- Fire Protection for Buildings
High-pressure pumps can also be used as a fire protection measure for buildings such as schools and offices because it can deliver volumes of water that is enough to extinguish fires before they spread too far. When the pumps are interconnected, fire departments can get water from multiple sources to cover lost or damaged lines.
Conclusion
High-pressure pumps are used in many different ways around the world today. It can be applied to various tasks, both familiar and specialized, thus making it a helpful tool for many people.