Positive Displacement Pumps: Types, Working Principles and Selection

A positive displacement pump transfers fluid by capturing a defined volume within the pumping chamber and moving it from the suction side to the discharge side. These technologies are generally divided into two main categories: rotary positive displacement pumps and reciprocating positive displacement pumps, each using a specific mechanical principle to move the fluid.

Positive displacement pumps are used across industrial processes for fluid transfer, metering and dosing, particularly when operating conditions require controlled and repeatable flow. Selecting the appropriate pump involves more than matching flow rate and discharge pressure. Key considerations include fluid viscosity, solids content and particle size, abrasiveness, chemical compatibility, shear sensitivity, temperature and process conditions.

This PCM guide helps you compare positive displacement pump technologies, understand their working principles and identify the key selection criteria for your application.

Discover our solutions

The Main Types of Positive Displacement Pumps

Positive displacement pumps operate on a straightforward principle: each cycle of the pump moves a specific, fixed volume of fluid. This makes them ideal for accurate dosing, metering, and gentle handling of materials.

There are two main families of positive displacement pumps:

Rotary Positive Displacement Pumps

Rotary pumps are commonly used for continuous, smooth flow applications. Their design minimizes pulsation and shear, making them efficient and reliable.

Key types include:

Progressing Cavity Pumps (Moineau™ Technology)
Use a helical rotor turning inside a stator to create cavities that progress along the pump length, ensuring a smooth, non-pulsating flow.
Peristaltic (Hose) Pumps
Move fluid by compressing and releasing a flexible tube or hose, creating a gentle, contamination-free flow. Perfect for shear-sensitive or corrosive fluids.
Gear Pumps
Use intermeshing gears to displace fluid between the gear teeth and casing.
Lobe Pumps
Use two or more lobed rotors that move fluid through the pump chamber.
Vane Pumps
Use sliding vanes in a rotor to create variable volume chambers, offering good suction capability and smooth flow.
Screw Pumps
Use one or more intermeshing screws to move fluid along the pump axis. Excellent for high-viscosity and high-pressure applications.

Reciprocating Positive Displacement Pumps

Reciprocating pumps use linear motion to draw in and discharge fluid, delivering very precise flow rates and high pressures.

Key types include:

Piston Pumps
Use a reciprocating piston within a cylinder to move fluid. Known for high pressure capability and accuracy, often used in hydraulic and process systems.
Plunger Pumps
Similar to piston pumps but use a plunger sealed with packing rather than a piston. Ideal for very high-pressure applications like water jetting or chemical injection.
Diaphragm Pumps
Use a flexible diaphragm to displace fluid, separated from the moving parts by a barrier. Excellent for handling corrosive, abrasive, or hazardous fluids with leak-free performance.

PCM Expertise in Positive Displacement Technologies

PCM has been a pioneer in positive displacement pumping since René Moineau invented the progressing cavity pump in 1930.
Today, PCM continues to advance PDP technology, specializing in:

Moineau™ Progressing Cavity Pumps 

for high-viscosity, fragile, or high solid-content fluids

Peristaltic Pumps 

for hygienic, low-shear application, abrasiveness and hard dry matter applications

Piston pumps

for dosing applications needs accuracy and repeatability

Diaphragm pumps

to handle aggressives or corrosives products with high accuracy

Our expertise ensures optimized performance, reduced maintenance, and long equipment life across a wide range of industries.

TECHNOLOGY

APPLICATIONS

BENEFITS / ADVANTAGES

PERFORMANCE

Picto pump - PCM Progressive Cavity Pump

Progressing Cavity Pumps (PCP)

Food processing industries: dairy, fruit, eggs, yogurt, cosmetics...
Industry processing industries: mining, chemicals, wastewater, pulp and paper, energies, biogas...

Gentle product handling, strict hygiene standards, product respect
Easy to maintain, low shear pump, proportional flow rate
Low life cycle cost, reversible, pulsation-free
Handle a wide range of fluids (corrosive, fragile, viscous...)
Suitable for abrasive product and with dry matter content

Pressure: up to 330 bar
Flowrate: 3 l/h – 500 m³/h
Particle size: up to 48 mm

Discover our range

Peristaltic Pumps

Used at all stages of processing in the food sector: handles sensitive or abrasive liquids
Used for dosing and transferring in the chemicals, environment, biogas, mining, paper, ... industries

No seals needed (no leakage), reduce maintenance costs
Easy maintenance: only the hose contacts the product
Capable of running at different speeds, as well as dry running
Self-priming
Design to match with harsh application : high matter content, big and hard particles..

Pressure: up to 15 bars
Flowrate: 30 l/h – 100 m³/h
Viscosity: 40,000 cPo

Discover our range

Piston Pumps

Dose fluids with particles with a high level of accuracy at high flow rates
Dosing pumps are adept at working with a spectrum of fluids (corrosive, abrasive, viscous)