Downhole Desander Vortex Flow Sand Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing downhole pumping systems face inefficiencies and potential damage due to the presence of solid particles like sand and gas bubbles, which are not effectively separated before reaching the surface, leading to reduced pump efficiency and potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A downhole desander and gas separator system featuring a tubular body with tangential inlet ports creating a vortex flow, which separates solid particles from fluids and directs them upward, while gas is separated and trapped in an annulus above the pump inlet, preventing gas from entering the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solid particles and gas bubbles are not separated before pumping, then the pumping system operates continuously, but pump efficiency decreases and pump damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The desander and gas separator are positioned downhole to perform separation actions before the fluid enters the pump. The vortex flow created by tangential inlet ports removes solid particles and gas bubbles in advance, preventing them from reaching and damaging the pump, thus maintaining both reliability and productivity
2Reliability
If a desander and gas separator are installed downhole, then pump protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses hydraulic principles to create a vortex flow pattern through tangential inlet ports. This vortex flow automatically separates solid particles and gas from the fluid stream using centrifugal forces and density differences, eliminating the need for complex mechanical moving parts while achieving effective separation and pump protection
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 removes sand and gas from fluids before they reach the surface, protecting the pump from damage and maintaining efficiency by ensuring that solids are separated and gas is prevented from entering the pump, allowing for reliable and efficient fluid extraction.
Implementation Method 1
The vortex body has one or more tangential inlet ports spaced circumferentially about the vortex body for imparting a vortex flow to the fluid entering the vortex body
Implementation Method 2
The vortex body extends axially from above the inlet ports to a generally conical vortex body interior surface with a reduced cross-sectional flow area compared to a cross-sectional flow area adjacent the inlet ports
Implementation Method 3
an upper end for exhausting gas to a reduced pressure region less than pressure at the lower end of the tube
Data Source
AI summary
The desander (10) for positioning downhole includes a generally tubular desander body (16) and a generally sleeve-shaped vortex body (39, 94). The desander with a seal or packer may be positioned in a well below the casing perforations. The desander with an ESP may be used with gas separator (60), which may include a seal (24) for positioning above the producing formation. The separator (60) may be used independent of the desander for some applications.