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Pumps vs. Compressors, Blowers and Fans

The difference between pumps, compressors, blowers and fans.

A generic definition of a pump is

"A machine or device for raising, compressing, or transferring fluids."

In practice - it is common to differentiate between

  • pumps
  • compressors
  • blowers
  • fans

as summarized below:

Pumps

  • A pump is a machine for raising a liquid - a relatively incompressible fluid - to a higher level of pressure or head

Compressors

  • A compressor is a machine for raising a gas - a compressible fluid - to a higher level of pressure

Blowers

  • A blower is a machine for moving volumes of a gas with moderate increase of pressure

Fans

  • A fan moves large amounts of gas with low increase in pressure

Related Topics

  • Fluid Mechanics

    The study of fluids - liquids and gases. Involving velocity, pressure, density and temperature as functions of space and time.

  • Gases and Compressed Air

    Properties of air, LNG, LPG and other common gases. Pipeline capacities and sizing of relief valves.

  • Pumps

    Design of pumping systems and pipelines. With centrifugal pumps, displacement pumps, cavitation, fluid viscosity, head and pressure, power consumption and more.

  • Ventilation Systems

    Design of systems for ventilation and air handling - air change rates, ducts and pressure drops, charts and diagrams and more.

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