A centrifugal pump is one of the simplest pieces of equipment in any process
plant. Its purpose is to convert energy of a prime mover (a electric motor or turbine) first
into velocity or kinetic energy and then into pressure energy of a fluid that is being
pumped. The energy changes occur by virtue of two main parts of the pump, the impeller
and the volute or diffuser. The impeller is the rotating part that converts driver energy into
the kinetic energy. The volute or diffuser is the stationary part that converts the kinetic
energy into pressure energy.
Note: All of the forms of energy involved in a liquid flow system are expressed in
terms of feet of liquid i.e. head.