Abstract: Stationary diffusers, downhole centrifugal pumps, and methods of pressurizing a fluid may include vanes configured to direct fluid flow through fluid passageways, where at least some of the vanes include a bulge or protrusion extending axially beyond the fluid passageways into an open rotational volume of the diffuser in a direction toward an impeller.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a downhole centrifugal pump system designed to include a diffuser configuration which optimally transfers fluid and builds head pressure at a dead zone between the diffuser and an adjacently upper impeller, the dead zone being defined as an open rotational area between the stationary diffuser and the adjacently upper impeller. The diffuser includes a first side for receiving fluid from a first impeller and a second side for transferring the fluid upwardly to the adjacently upper impeller. The diffuser also includes a plurality of vanes that direct fluid flow from the first side to the second side. Each vane of the diffuser includes an edge at the second side that includes a bulge between a proximal edge and a distal edge on the second side. The bulge advantageously extends upwardly toward the second impeller to reduce the dead zone relative to if the second edge extended linearly from the proximal edge to the distal edge.