An impeller is a rotating component—usually equipped with vanes or blades—used in pumps, compressors, and mixers. Its primary purpose is to transfer energy from a motor to a fluid or gas, forcing it outward from the center of rotation to create flow and pressure.

How it Works

• Intake: Fluid enters the impeller through the center opening, known as the "eye".
• Acceleration: As the motor spins the impeller, the vanes impart kinetic energy to the fluid, pushing it outward.
• Pressure conversion: The outward flow is confined by the pump's casing (or volute), which transforms the fluid's velocity into output pressure.

Common Types of Impellers

• Open Impeller: The vanes are open on both sides and attached directly to a central hub. They are typically used in smaller, less expensive pumps or for fluids containing solid particles.
• Semi-Open Impeller: These feature a back wall for added structural support while the front is open. They are highly efficient and great for handling slightly muddy or solid-laden liquids.
• Closed Impeller: The vanes are sandwiched between two metal or plastic disks, completely enclosing the fluid channels. These are the most common and efficient choice for clear liquids like clean water.
• Flexible Impeller: Commonly found in marine water pumps, these impellers are made of flexible rubber or neoprene. The offset housing squeezes the blades as they rotate, generating a vacuum to draw in water and push it out to cool the engine.

Everyday Applications

• Water Pumps: Used in automobiles (coolant pumps), residential plumbing, and boat engines.
• Centrifugal Fans & Blowers: Used in HVAC systems, vacuum cleaners, and turbochargers.
• Centrifugal-flow turbojets: Impeller compressor used on (mostly early) turbojets.
• Turbofans: Used as high pressure turbines.
• Washing Machines: Used to circulate and drain water during a wash cycle.

External links

• [1]
• [2]
• [3]
• [4]

This page uses Creative Commons Licensed content from Wikipedia (view authors).