Cascading Liquid Air Removal Filter Bristles Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for filtering air from cascading liquids in wells, such as elastic tube devices and throttle valves, are prone to clogging, slow flow rates, and difficulty in removal, and fail to effectively prevent air from entering the pump, leading to pump damage and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A cascading liquid air removal filter system comprising a bristles element with a plurality of bristles and fluid passages, attached to a well column between the column and casing above the drawdown liquid level, which slows cascading liquids and minimizes air bubbles entering the pump by forcing them to trickle through the filter system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an elastic tube device is used to filter air from cascading liquids, then the pump can operate without drawing down the water level, but the device becomes clogged with solid materials and is difficult to remove
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system is divided into separate modular components: a header assembly with filter elements, a screen component, and a bypass assembly. This segmentation allows individual components to be removed or replaced independently, solving the removal difficulty while maintaining the filtering function that ensures reliable pump operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a bypass assembly with a bypass valve that acts as an intermediary mechanism. When the filter becomes clogged, the bypass valve allows liquid to flow around the filter, preventing complete system failure and enabling maintenance without shutting down the entire pump system.
2Reliability
If a throttle valve is introduced to filter air from cascading liquids, then air can be regulated, but the device is prone to failure and becomes lodged downhole
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system separates the throttling function from the filtering function into distinct modular components. The header assembly with filter elements can be independently accessed and repaired, while the bypass assembly handles flow regulation, making the entire system more repairable compared to a integrated throttle valve.
Solution Approach 2:
The bypass valve is designed to automatically activate when the filter becomes clogged, providing self-service functionality that prevents system failure without requiring manual intervention or complex repair mechanisms downhole.
3Reliability
If the pump is placed below the fluid source level to remain primed, then the pump avoids gas-binding, but air pushed below the fluid source level by cascading water still enters the pump
Solution Approach 1:
The filter system extracts and removes air bubbles from the cascading liquid before the liquid reaches the pump. The filter elements and screen component physically separate air bubbles from the liquid stream, preventing them from entering the pump while allowing the pump to remain positioned below the fluid source level for continuous priming.
Solution Approach 2:
The filter elements are designed as replaceable, inexpensive components that can be periodically changed to maintain air removal effectiveness. This allows continuous operation with simple maintenance rather than complex repair, ensuring reliable pump priming over time.
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 filter system effectively reduces air bubbles entering the pump, preventing damage and ensuring efficient operation by slowing cascading liquids and allowing them to pass through non-linear paths, thereby maintaining pump priming and flow rates.
Implementation Method 1
slowing cascading liquids and minimizes air bubbles entering the pump by forcing them to trickle through the filter system
Implementation Method 2
bristles element with a plurality of bristles and fluid passages
Data Source
AI summary
A cascading liquid air removal filter system is disclosed. Said system comprising a filter system having a bristles element. Said bristle element comprises a plurality of bristles each having a first end and a second end. Said bristles element comprises a plurality of fluid passages between said bristles. Said filter system is attached to a column of a well having one or more sections, between said column and a casing of said well. Said filter system comprises a filter outside diameter. Said casing comprises a casing internal diameter. Said filter outside diameter is equal to or larger than said casing internal diameter. Said fluid passages comprise a plurality of non-linear paths through said bristles element for a liquid passing through said filter system. Said filter system provides only said non-linear paths for said liquid to travel from a first end to a second end of said filter system.