PURPOSE: To assure a safe operation of a friction pump at extreme requirements in a simple manner without requiring any additional constructional elements.

CONSTITUTION: A friction pump is equipped with at least one actively controlled magnetic radial bearing 8. In order to satisfy the extreme requirements needed for the friction pump, a gap between pump elements 1, 2 and an emergency bearing 10 must be narrower, the rotating speed must be increased, and a magnetic bearing must be used. In order to meet these requirements, a special control mechanism is provided. The control mechanism is operated in cooperation with control of a rotor 3, a positional sensor 9, and the magnetic bearing.