Boost Pump Cavitation Prevention in Wellbore Servicing
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure pumps in wellbore servicing operations suffer from cavitation due to inadequate inlet pressure, leading to reduced efficiency and increased wear on pump components.
Innovation Solution
A wellbore services manifold trailer system that includes a boost pump to increase inlet pressure to high-pressure pumps, utilizing a centrifugal or positive displacement pump configuration, along with a hydraulic control system and bypass valve assembly to manage fluid flow and pressure, thereby preventing cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If high-pressure pumps operate without adequate inlet pressure, then the system structure remains simple, but cavitation occurs causing reduced pump efficiency and excessive wear
Solution Approach 1:
A boost pump is installed upstream of the high-pressure pump to pre-increase the inlet pressure before the fluid enters the high-pressure pump. This preliminary pressure increase prevents cavitation from occurring in the first place, protecting the pump components from excessive wear and maintaining efficiency throughout operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The boost pump acts as an intermediary device between the fluid source and the high-pressure pump. It mediates the pressure transition by providing an intermediate pressure boost, ensuring that the high-pressure pump receives adequate inlet pressure without requiring complex system redesign.
2Reliability
If boost pressure is increased to prevent cavitation, then pump efficiency is maintained, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The boost pump provides just enough pressure increase to prevent cavitation - not excessive pressure beyond what is needed. This partial action approach maintains pump efficiency by eliminating cavitation while minimizing unnecessary energy consumption from over-pressurizing the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the boost pressure parameter based on operating conditions. By changing the pressure parameter to match actual needs rather than maintaining constant high pressure, the system prevents cavitation while optimizing energy consumption across varying operational scenarios.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces or eliminates cavitation in high-pressure pumps, enhancing their efficiency and extending their lifespan by maintaining sufficient boost pressure during wellbore servicing operations.
Implementation Method 1
a boost pump coupled to the blender connector... In an embodiment, the boost pump is a centrifugal pump
Data Source
AI summary
A wellbore services manifold trailer comprising a blender connector configured to couple to a blender, a boost pump coupled to the blender connector, a high-pressure pump suction connector coupled to the boost pump and configured to couple to a high-pressure pump, a high-pressure pump discharge connector configured to couple to the high-pressure pump, and a wellhead connector configured to couple to a wellhead is disclosed. A wellbore servicing method comprises receiving a fluid at a first pressure, increasing the pressure of the fluid to a second pressure greater than the first pressure, feeding the fluid to a high-pressure pump at the second pressure, receiving the fluid from the high-pressure pump at a third pressure greater than the second pressure, and feeding the fluid to a wellhead at the third pressure is also disclosed.