Which type of pump is a metering pump categorized as?

A metering pump is categorized as a positive displacement pump because it functions by displacing a specific volume of fluid with each cycle of operation. This type of pump is designed to deliver precise quantities of fluid in a controlled manner, making it ideal for applications that require accurate flow rates, such as chemical dosing or water treatment.

Positive displacement pumps work by capturing a fixed volume of fluid during each cycle and then forcing that volume out through the discharge side, regardless of the pressure in the system. This ensures consistent and accurate flow rates, which is crucial for metering applications.

Metering pumps can also be classified into different mechanisms, including diaphragm pumps, gear pumps, or peristaltic pumps, but their essential function of delivering a set volume of fluid categorizes them firmly within the positive displacement category. Other pump types, such as rotary or centrifugal pumps, operate based on different principles, leading to variable flow rates that are not always precise like that of a metering pump.