Plunger pumps are positive displacement reciprocating pumps that move high viscosity liquids and other media through a cylindrical chamber. Some people call these types of pumps high-viscosity pumps, well service pumps and high-pressure pumps. Various models of plunger pumps depend on the number of plungers they use. For example, a plunger pump with one plunger is a simplex pump, a plunger pump with two plungers is a duplex pump and a plunger pump with three plungers is a triplex pump. Plunger pumps can use as many as five or six plungers.

The capacity of a plunger pump depends on how many plungers it uses. A simplex plunger pump has the lowest capacity. Plunger pumps can obtain power by electricity, steam, hydraulics or pneumatically. These pumps function by building pressure in a cylinder, which forces the media through the pump. When purchasing plunger pumps, consider the following:

1. Search a plunger pumps list for simplex and duplex pumps.

2. Use triplex plunger pumps for high-pressure applications.

3. Order continuous-duty plunger pumps when the pump must work around the clock.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Use simplex and duplex plunger pumps

Simplex plunger pumps use a single liquid cylinder, which is the pump. A duplex plunger pump uses two single liquid cylinders that are side by side. A duplex plunger pump's plungers operate so they are on different strokes. For example, when one plunger is on the upstroke, the other is on the down stroke. A duplex plunger pump has double the capacity of a simplex plunger pump.

I recommend: Browse a large online inventory of plunger pumps, including simplex plunger pumps, at Kerr Pumps. The plunger pumps provider offers positive displacement reciprocating pumps ideal for any application that moves liquid under pressure. BPH Pump & Equipment offers an inventory of duplex plunger pumps. The pumps are available for purchase online.

Order triplex plunger pumps

Triplex plunger pumps are durable and inexpensive to maintain. Because they use three plungers, this type of plunger pump is ideal for applications that process a large amount of liquid. High-pressure service jobs often use triplex plunger pumps.

I recommend: Find plunger pumps at Wheatley Pumps. The company offers a large inventory of triplex plunger pumps as well as several other types of plunger pumps. A.R. North America manufactures industrial triplex plunger pumps for a wide variety of applications. Wepuko Pahnke Engineering offers a family of triplex plunger pumps that are low maintenance, easy to clean and suitable for high pressures.

Find continuous-duty plunger pumps

Continuous-duty plunger pumps are designed to operate without stopping, as opposed to intermittent plunger pumps, which are intended to be used for short periods of time. Continuous-duty plunger pumps are made of high-quality components to keep them running. This type of pump often uses ceramic plungers.

I recommend: Order triplex plunger pumps for continuous duty at Cat Pumps. The pumps have concentric, solid ceramic plungers ideal for low maintenance and reliability. Union Pump sells simplex, duplex and triplex plunger pumps capable of continuous use for general industrial and process services. Order a continuous-duty plunger pump from Jaeco Fluid Systems. These plungers are for continuous metering of chemicals and solutions.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When reading plunger pumps information, know that piston pumps are often listed with plunger pumps. The two types of pumps are similar, but piston pumps are for use in lower pressure applications.