What type of pump is commonly called a can pump?

• A. Centrifugal Pump
• B. Turbine Pump
• C. Reciprocating Pump
• D. Diaphragm Pump

Answer: (B)

A can pump refers to a vertical turbine pump, where the pump assembly sits inside a can-like casing (often installed in a well) and is driven by a motor at the surface. This configuration—the can housing containing the turbine stages and the shaft—fits the common nickname “can pump.” Vertical turbine pumps are chosen for lifting water from depth and creating higher heads, which is a hallmark of turbine-type designs. Other pump types use different configurations: centrifugal pumps are usually surface-mounted or inline, reciprocating pumps rely on pistons, and diaphragm pumps use a flexible membrane. So the best match for a can pump is the turbine pump.