How does the quantity of fluid pumped by a centrifugal pump change with impeller speed?

The quantity of fluid pumped by a centrifugal pump is directly related to the speed of the impeller. When the impeller speed increases, the kinetic energy imparted to the fluid also increases, resulting in a greater flow rate being produced by the pump. This relationship is governed by the pump's performance curve, which shows how flow rate increases as rotational speed rises.

This phenomenon occurs because the fluid is accelerated faster as the impeller rotates more quickly, leading to an increase in the fluid's velocity and an overall increase in the volumetric flow rate. Thus, a direct relationship signifies that if the impeller speed doubles, the flow rate approximately doubles as well, assuming other conditions remain constant.

Understanding this relationship is crucial for applications where optimizing pump performance is necessary, such as in systems requiring precise control of fluid delivery rates.