Submersible Pump Diffuser Sand Evacuation Ribs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Submersible downhole pumps face issues with sand particles getting trapped between the impeller and diffuser components in sandy environments, leading to erosion and reduced efficiency, as existing methods like sand holes and anti-swirl ribs can be overwhelmed or erode, compromising the pump's performance.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a diffuser assembly with curved vanes, anti-swirl ribs, and sand jump ramps to guide trapped sand particles back into the fluid flow path, along with an annular groove and sand hole recesses to enhance sand evacuation, preventing erosion and maintaining pump efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sand holes are drilled through the diffuser bowl floor to allow sand exit, then sand evacuation is improved, but the sand holes erode and enlarge reducing pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sand dams as intermediary structures that intercept sand particles before they reach the sand holes. These dams act as a protective barrier that guides sand into controlled evacuation paths while preventing direct erosion of the sand holes, thus maintaining both sand evacuation capability and pump efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The sand dams are positioned upstream in the diffuser bowl to intercept and redirect sand particles before they can erode the sand holes. This preliminary action of capturing and guiding sand prevents the harmful erosion effect before it occurs, preserving the integrity of the sand hole structures
2Reliability
If anti swirl ribs or sand dams are constructed to keep sand in place, then sand trapping is improved, but the ribs erode at their outer edge cutting through the diffuser wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different regions of the diffuser bowl. The sand dams are designed with specific geometric characteristics (acute angles, extended reach) in the regions where sand concentration is highest, while other areas maintain the standard diffuser structure. This localized adaptation optimizes sand containment where needed without compromising overall diffuser wall strength
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of trying to prevent sand from reaching the diffuser wall entirely, the patent inverts the approach by using the wall itself as a guiding surface. The sand dams direct sand particles to roll along the diffuser bowl inner surface, utilizing the wall's strength to contain sand rather than relying solely on the dams to bear all the mechanical stress
3Stress or pressure
If the number of impellers is increased to generate enough head, then pump head is improved, but the complexity of the pump assembly increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the pump system into multiple independent stages, each consisting of an impeller-diffuser assembly. This segmentation allows each stage to contribute incrementally to the total head while maintaining a standardized modular structure. The diffuser bowl design with integrated sand protection features is replicated across stages, creating a systematic solution that manages complexity through standardization
Data Source
AI summary
Submersible pumps, diffuser assemblies, and related methods for pumping a fluid having a substantial sand content, are provided. A diffuser assembly for a submersible pump can include anti-swirl ribs forming sand dams positioned on an upper surface of the diffuser bowl floor at an acute angle to guide trapped between the bottom shroud of an impeller and the diffuser bowl to the inner surface of the diffuser bowl outer wall and back into the production fluid stream. The diffuser assembly can also include sand jump ramps each separately positioned adjacent the outer peripheral surface of one of the sand dams and positioned adjacent a separate portion of the inner surface of the diffuser bowl outer wall to further enhance deflection of sand back into the production fluid stream.