What type of pump is known for being able to maintain consistent flow rates despite changes in pressure?

The positive displacement pump is designed to provide a consistent flow rate, regardless of variations in system pressure. This characteristic stems from the way these pumps operate; they move a fixed amount of fluid with each cycle or revolution, meaning the flow rate is primarily determined by the pump’s design and speed rather than the pressure downstream.

As the pressure increases in the system, positive displacement pumps will continue to push the same volume of fluid, and any additional resistance leads to an increase in the pump's driving force. This ability ensures that they are especially effective in applications where maintaining a steady flow is crucial, such as in hydraulic systems or industrial processes.

In contrast, centrifugal pumps rely on rotational energy to create flow and are influenced by changes in pressure within the system, often leading to fluctuations in flow rates. A diaphragm pump, while a type of positive displacement pump, does not encompass the broader category of all positive displacement pumps and is more specialized in its applications. Rotary pumps can refer to a wide variety of pump types, but they also do not guarantee the same consistent flow under varying pressure conditions as positive displacement pumps do.