Pumps are vital in industries ranging from water treatment and oil & gas to pharmaceuticals and food processing. Understanding the main types of pumps — and their correct French terminology — is essential for companies working internationally, especially in regions where French is the primary technical and business language.
Below is an overview of the most common types of pumps, with their English and French names.
1. Centrifugal Pumps (Pompes centrifuges)
How they work: A rotating impeller transfers energy to the fluid, creating flow.
Applications: Water supply, HVAC, irrigation, oil refineries.
French term: Pompe centrifuge
2. Positive Displacement Pumps (Pompes volumétriques)
These pumps move fixed volumes of fluid with each cycle.
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Reciprocating Pumps (Pompes alternatives)
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Types: piston (pompe à piston), plunger (pompe à plongeur), diaphragm (pompe à membrane).
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Used for high-pressure, precise dosing.
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Rotary Pumps (Pompes rotatives)
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Types: gear (pompe à engrenages), screw (pompe à vis), vane (pompe à palettes), lobe (pompe à lobes).
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Suitable for viscous or shear-sensitive fluids.
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French term: Pompe volumétrique (general category)
3. Submersible Pumps (Pompes submersibles)
How they work: Operate underwater, fully sealed to prevent liquid ingress.
Applications: Groundwater pumping, sewage treatment, drainage.
French term: Pompe submersible
4. Diaphragm Pumps (Pompes à membrane)
How they work: A flexible diaphragm displaces fluid.
Applications: Chemical transfer, pharmaceuticals, corrosive fluids.
French term: Pompe à membrane
5. Peristaltic Pumps (Pompes péristaltiques)
How they work: Rollers compress a flexible tube to move fluid.
Applications: Medical devices, laboratories, chemical dosing.
French term: Pompe péristaltique
6. Gear Pumps (Pompes à engrenages)
How they work: Fluid is trapped between rotating gears.
Applications: Lubrication, hydraulic systems, fuel transfer.
French term: Pompe à engrenages
7. Screw Pumps (Pompes à vis)
How they work: Intermeshing screws rotate to move fluid smoothly.
Applications: Oil transfer, multiphase pumping, marine systems.
French term: Pompe à vis
Conclusion
The pump industry relies on precision — both in engineering and in language. Using the correct French translation for pump types ensures clarity in technical manuals, safety documentation, and international business. Whether it is a pompe centrifuge for water systems or a pompe péristaltique for pharmaceuticals, accurate terminology helps avoid misunderstandings, builds stronger global partnerships and relays your professionnalism in the industry and to your customers, present or future.
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