A reciprocating pump is a type of positive displacement pump that moves fluid by using a back-and-forth motion. It consists of a piston or diaphragm that creates a vacuum to draw fluid into a chamber and then pushes it out through a discharge valve. This design allows for efficient fluid transfer, making it suitable for various applications, including water supply and industrial processes. These pumps can handle a wide range of fluids, including viscous liquids and slurries. They are commonly used in systems requiring precise flow control and high pressure, such as in hydraulic systems and chemical processing.