What is NOT considered an advantage of centrifugal pumps over reciprocating pumps?

Centrifugal pumps are designed to move large volumes of fluid efficiently and are commonly favored for their advantages over reciprocating pumps. These advantages typically include higher efficiency, lower maintenance requirements, and the ability to handle larger flow rates.

Centrifugal pumps generally operate with a continuous flow and are simpler in design compared to reciprocating pumps, which have more moving parts and require more maintenance due to their pistons or diaphragms. These features allow centrifugal pumps to achieve higher efficiency and to manage larger quantities of fluid effectively.

The requirement for priming is indeed a characteristic of centrifugal pumps, especially when used for applications like stripping where they must be filled with liquid before they can operate properly. This need for priming is considered a disadvantage rather than an advantage, as reciprocating pumps often do not require the same level of priming to function efficiently, especially when handling viscous or volatile fluids.

Thus, the correct answer highlights a point that is not an advantage of centrifugal pumps. Recognizing this distinction is essential for understanding the operational capabilities and limitations of different pump types in various applications.