What type of pump is designed to operate for short periods of time with a closed valve?

A centrifugal pump is primarily designed to create a flow of fluid by converting rotational energy to hydrodynamic energy. It operates efficiently when the pump is under load, meaning it is designed to move fluid continuously rather than for short bursts while encountering closed discharge valves.

When a centrifugal pump is faced with a closed valve, it can lead to overheating and potential damage since the fluid cannot exit the system, which is contrary to its optimal operating conditions that require free flow and restrictions can cause issues.

Positive displacement pumps, on the other hand, are specifically designed to handle conditions like this. They can maintain the capacity to move a set volume of fluid regardless of the outlet pressure. This means they can safely operate for short periods even when the valve is closed because they displace a fixed amount of fluid per cycle.

Understanding these operational characteristics helps clarify that the correct answer revolves around how different pumps react to changes in system resistance.