Compact Multiphase Pump with Centrifugal Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rotodynamic multiphase pumps are inefficient for low flow rates and high pressure gains, and positive-displacement pumps require frequent maintenance, making them unsuitable for isolated or hard-to-reach sites.
Innovation Solution
A rotodynamic multiphase pump design with mobile wheels having a limited number of blades and quasi-axial inlet, semi-radial outlet, and specific channel geometries that allow for efficient compression of gas-liquid mixtures, similar to axial multiphase pumps but with reduced rotating speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If the number of stages is increased to achieve higher pressure gain, then the pressure gain increases, but the machine floor space increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple compression stages, each with mobile wheels and fixed wheels working in sequence. The fluid passes through several stages of compression, with each stage contributing to the overall pressure gain while maintaining a compact footprint through efficient spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The design transitions from purely axial flow to a combination of axial and radial flow components. The mobile wheels have blades configured to create centrifugal motion, adding a radial dimension to the compression process. This allows higher pressure gain per stage without proportionally increasing the axial length or floor space.
2Stress or pressure
If the rotating speed is increased to achieve higher pressure gain, then the pressure gain increases, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The design changes the geometric parameters of the mobile wheel blades and channel configurations to optimize the balance between rotational speed and pressure gain. By adjusting blade angles, channel cross-sections, and the ratio of radial to axial dimensions, the pump achieves higher pressure gain at moderate speeds rather than requiring extremely high rotational speeds.
3Stress or pressure
If positive-displacement pumps are used for low flow rates and high pressure gains, then compression performance is achieved, but maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the mechanical positive-displacement mechanism (such as screws or gears) with a rotodynamic system using mobile wheels with blades. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact between moving parts that would require frequent maintenance, while still achieving the desired compression of gas-liquid mixtures at low flow rates and high pressure gains.
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 pump achieves compression performances comparable to axial multiphase pumps while reducing rotating speed by about 30% and minimizing maintenance needs, making it suitable for applications like offshore platforms and isolated oil fields.
Implementation Method 1
Said channels have a centrifugal part
Data Source
AI summary
Rotodynamic machine for compressing a multiphase fluid comprising at least one gas phase and one liquid phase.The machine comprises at least one mobile wheel 6 rotating around an axis A-A′, mounted in a housing 1, and at least one fixed wheel 7 secured to housing 1. Mobile wheel 6 comprises a hub fitted with at least two blades 20 so as to form at least two channels delimited by hub 8, housing 1 and two of said blades 20. The channels have a centrifugal part.The length of one of the channels defined as the ratio of the volume of a channel to the maximum orthoradial area of said channel, measured in a plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation, ranges between 10 cm and 20 cm, and the ratio of the area of the largest orthoradial channel cross-section to the area of the smallest orthoradial channel cross-section is less than or equal to 3.