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