In a positive displacement pump, what happens to the fluid?

In a positive displacement pump, the operation relies on the principle of trapping a fixed amount of fluid within the pump mechanisms and then forcing that volume into the discharge line. This is achieved through its design, which includes chambers or gears that expand and contract, effectively displacing a specific volume of fluid with each cycle or revolution.

As a result, the fluid is pushed through the pump in a continuous flow, which is a characteristic of how positive displacement pumps function. Unlike centrifugal pumps, which rely on kinetic energy to move fluid, positive displacement pumps ensure a consistent and measurable quantity of fluid is delivered, making them ideal for applications requiring exact flow rates or in scenarios involving high-viscosity fluids.

Understanding this mechanism helps to illustrate why a continuous flow is achieved in positive displacement pumps, making it the correct answer to the question.