Concentric Wellbore Separator for Gas-Liquid Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In petroleum producing wells, the presence of entrained and free gas in hydrocarbon production streams reduces the volumetric efficiency of artificial lifting mechanisms, such as rod pumps, by not being effectively separated from liquid products before entering the pump.
Innovation Solution
A separator assembly comprising an outer and inner tube with bell portions, positioned concentrically, is used within the well bore to slow down the fluid velocity, allowing gas to separate from the liquid, with the gas rising and being captured while the separated liquid is directed through the inner tube to the pump, reducing gas interference and improving pump efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If gas is not separated from liquid products before entering the pump, then the pump can handle all fluid flow, but the volumetric efficiency of the pump is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The separator divides the fluid flow path into distinct segments: an outer tube for gas separation and an inner tube for liquid transport. This segmentation allows gas and liquid to be handled separately, improving pump volumetric efficiency by preventing gas from entering the pump while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner tube is nested within the outer tube, creating a compact concentric structure. The inner tube carries liquid to the pump while the annular space between the tubes allows gas to rise and separate. This nesting approach achieves effective gas-liquid separation without requiring a large footprint or complex external components.
2Reliability
If the fluid velocity is reduced in the separator, then gas can separate from liquid effectively, but the separator volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The separator utilizes the vertical dimension by allowing gas to rise upward in the annular space between the inner and outer tubes, while liquid flows downward through the inner tube. This vertical separation approach achieves effective gas-liquid separation without requiring a large horizontal volume, as the separation occurs along the length of the tubes rather than requiring a wide separator chamber.
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 solution effectively reduces gas interference in the pump, enhancing volumetric efficiency and increasing the total pump capacity by ensuring that only gas-free fluid reaches the pump, thereby improving the overall hydrocarbon production process.
Implementation Method 1
Gas may be permitted to separate from the liquid products and travel up the annulus where it is captured
Implementation Method 2
slow down the fluid velocity, allowing gas to separate from the liquid
Data Source
AI summary
A method of separating gas from a fluid mixture in a production stream of a well where the method includes using an outer tube and an inner tube positioned concentrically with the outer tube to separate gas and liquid from a mixture. The production stream is directed through the outer tube and into a space between a well casing of the well and the outer tube where gas in the production stream can separate from fluid in the production stream. The separated fluid is then directed through the inner tube to a pump.