Downhole Pump Debris Management via Velocity Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The resource recovery industry faces challenges with debris accumulation and erosion during downhole operations, as existing debris circulation methods are inefficient and can lead to re-entrainment of debris into fluid flow streams, necessitating a more effective solution for debris management.
Innovation Solution
A downhole pump with a mandrel and helical blade designed for a close clearance fit within a tubular section, where fluid flow velocity is reduced at the downhole end to drop debris, and the pump's cycling mechanism conveys debris downhole by controlling fluid flow through a passageway with a larger inlet and smaller outlet, optionally incorporating a filter and diamond point for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If debris is circulated back to surface for disposal, then debris can be removed from the wellbore, but debris accumulation causes erosion and operational inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful debris from the fluid flow stream by allowing it to settle at the bottom of the wellbore rather than circulating it back to surface. The pump system enables selective separation where debris is deposited in rat holes while clean fluid continues circulation, eliminating erosion problems and improving operational efficiency.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If debris is deposited in rat holes or at the bottom of the wellbore, then debris accumulation and erosion are reduced, but it takes time for debris to settle and other operations cannot resume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic pumping cycles where the pump operates intermittently to move debris to rat holes and allows settling periods. This periodic action accelerates the debris separation process, enabling operations to resume more quickly while still achieving effective debris removal and preventing re-entrainment.
3Productivity
If fluid flow velocity is high to move debris efficiently, then debris transport is improved, but debris may be re-entrained into the fluid flow stream
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different flow velocity conditions in different locations: high velocity in the pump discharge to transport debris efficiently, and low velocity zones in rat holes where debris is deposited. The blade geometry creates localized flow patterns that maintain high transport efficiency while ensuring debris drops out of suspension in deposition zones, preventing re-entrainment.
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 efficiently moves debris downhole by maintaining fluid velocity below the lift velocity of the debris, reducing the risk of clogging and improving operational efficiency by ensuring debris is deposited rather than re-entrained, thus enhancing the overall pumping action and reducing wear on the blades.
Implementation Method 1
dropping debris from a fluid flow pursuant to reduction in flow velocity at a downhole end of the pump
Implementation Method 2
cycling the fluid through the passageway and out the outlet to convey more debris to the downhole end of the pump along the blade
Data Source
AI summary
A downhole pump including a mandrel defining a passageway therein and defining an inlet to the passageway that allows fluid ingress to the passageway from an environment outside of the mandrel and defining an outlet from the passageway that allows fluid egress from the passageway, a blade extending from the mandrel and sized for a close clearance fit in a tubular into which the pump is intended to be used, the blade upon rotation of the mandrel causing a fluid flow regime in a direction across the blade, into the inlet, through the passageway, out of the outlet and back to the blade.