Diffuser element

Diffuser elements are hydraulically relevant components built into centrifugal pumps which alter the vortex flow up- or downstream of the impeller. When positioned upstream of the impeller, they are used as pre-swirl control equipment (see Closed-loop control) to increase swirl. Fitted downstream of impellers, they work like diffusers and convert the kinetic swirl energy into pressure. Depending on the pump type, the diffuser elements can be radial, mixed flow or axial diffusers, but also volute or annular casings.