A ring impeller includes a central hub with a first row of vanes extending from
the hub and a second row of vanes extending from the hub adjacent to and staggered
from the first row of vanes. The vanes in each row are grouped to form adjacent
vane pairs and a partition wall is positioned between each of the vanes within
the vane pairs. A rib extends radially from the hub in alignment with the partition
wall and is positioned between each vane pair. The bottom thickness of the partition
wall is the same thickness as the rib. The partition wall includes a reduced material
area at its forward and rear edges. The vanes in the first row are unevenly spaced
and the vanes in the second row are spaced equidistantly between the vanes in the
first row. The spacing of the vanes in the first row may be about 70% to about
140% of a spacing equal to an equal spacing. Some of the vanes may have a height
that is less than the height of other vanes.