Peripheral pumps, also called regenerative or turbine pumps, use an impeller with radial vanes spinning inside a concentric channel. The liquid recirculates between the vanes and the channel as it travels around the casing, gaining pressure the whole way round. The result is a small, simple pump that produces far more pressure than a standard centrifugal pump of the same size.
That makes peripheral pumps the right choice where you need high pressure at modest flow: pressure boosting, small boiler feed, wash-down and compact water supply systems. We stock peripheral pumps from Calpeda, Ebara, Lowara, Pedrollo and Pentax. Browse the ranges below or call +44 1332 913500.
A peripheral pump is a rotodynamic pump whose impeller carries many small radial vanes running in a close-fitting annular channel. As the impeller turns, liquid is repeatedly flung outward and drawn back between the vanes, picking up energy on each pass, so pressure builds progressively around the periphery of the casing. Unlike a standard centrifugal pump, the performance curve is steep: pressure keeps climbing as flow falls, which gives stable, predictable boosting behaviour. For the wider centrifugal family, see our centrifugal pumps page.
They occupy the ground between a standard centrifugal pump (high flow, moderate pressure) and a multistage pump (high pressure, larger and costlier). For small duties needing pressure rather than volume, a peripheral pump does the job in a compact, affordable package with a single impeller. For higher flows at high pressure, step up to our multistage pumps or a packaged booster set.
Peripheral pumps are built for clean, non-abrasive liquids. The close clearances between impeller and channel are what generate the pressure, so solids and grit wear them quickly; for dirty liquids look at other pump types and ask us for advice.
The inputs are the flow rate you need, the pressure the system demands and the liquid being pumped. Because the pressure rises steeply at low flow, it is worth checking the full duty range rather than a single point. We stock ranges from Calpeda, Ebara, Lowara, Pedrollo and Pentax in a spread of sizes and materials; call +44 1332 913500 with your duty and we will match the right pump.
If your questions have not been answered here, get in touch with our team for more information.
Mostly for jobs that need high pressure at low flow from a compact pump: domestic pressure boosting, small boiler feed, wash-down duties and small water supply systems on clean liquids.
A standard centrifugal pump adds energy in a single pass through the impeller, giving high flow at moderate pressure. A peripheral pump recirculates the liquid between the impeller vanes and casing channel many times per revolution, producing much higher pressure from the same size of pump, at lower flows.
Yes. Peripheral, regenerative and regenerative turbine pump all describe the same design; the names refer to the way the liquid regenerates energy as it circulates around the periphery of the impeller.
No. Peripheral pumps rely on close internal clearances, so abrasive particles wear them rapidly. They are for clean liquids; for solids-laden or dirty water, ask us about more suitable pump types.
Some ranges are offered in self-priming versions and some are not, so it depends on the model. If your installation sits above the water source, tell us and we will point you to a suitable self-priming option.
When the duty needs high pressure at higher flow rates than a peripheral pump delivers, or continuous duty on larger systems. Peripheral pumps cover the small end of the pressure-boosting spectrum; multistage pumps take over above it.
