Electric Submersible Pump Diffuser Check Valves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric submersible pump diffusers are prone to bursting due to overpressure and collapsing due to underpressure, leading to potential damage and recirculation of fluids, which reduces efficiency and causes erosion in existing systems.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating resettable check valves between the diffuser interiors and interstitial spaces to selectively enable or disable fluid communication based on pressure differentials, preventing overpressure and underpressure conditions and resetting once conditions are alleviated to prevent recirculation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If diffusers are designed to withstand high operating pressures, then they can handle the required pressure differentials for pump operation, but they become vulnerable to bursting under overpressure and collapsing under underpressure conditions
Solution Approach 1:
A pressure relief mechanism is introduced as an intermediary between the diffuser interior and the interstitial space. This mechanism includes a communication passage that opens under overpressure conditions to relieve excess pressure, and another passage that opens under underpressure conditions to prevent collapse, thereby protecting the diffuser from damage while maintaining its structural integrity during normal operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the pressure parameter within the diffuser by opening communication passages when pressure differentials exceed predetermined thresholds. This allows the diffuser interior pressure to be adjusted in response to operating conditions, preventing both overpressure bursting and underpressure collapsing while maintaining reliable operation
2Reliability
If check valves are opened to relieve pressure differentials, then overpressure and underpressure conditions are prevented, but fluid recirculation may occur between diffuser stages
Solution Approach 1:
The check valves are designed to dynamically open and close based on real-time pressure differential conditions. The valves remain closed during normal operation to prevent recirculation and maintain efficiency, but automatically open when pressure differentials exceed thresholds to relieve overpressure or underpressure conditions, thus balancing reliability and productivity through dynamic control
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure relief mechanism incorporates feedback through pressure-sensitive check valves that automatically respond to pressure differential conditions. When the pressure differential exceeds a predetermined range, the check valves open to equalize pressure; when the differential returns to the acceptable range, the valves close. This feedback mechanism prevents both diffuser damage and unnecessary fluid recirculation, maintaining system efficiency
3Reliability
If O-rings or seals are installed between stages and pump housing, then external pressure isolation on diffusers is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The pump system is segmented into discrete stages, each with its own diffuser and sealing arrangement. O-rings or seals are installed at the interface between each stage and the pump housing to provide localized pressure isolation. This segmentation allows each diffuser to be independently protected from external pressure, improving reliability while keeping the sealing system manageable through modular design
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
Prevents damage to diffusers by managing pressure differentials, maintaining system efficiency by preventing fluid recirculation and reducing component erosion.
Implementation Method 1
one or more check valves between an interior of the diffuser and an interstitial space between the diffuser and the pump housing selectively enable or disable fluid communication between the diffuser interior and the interstitial space in response to pressure differentials between the diffuser interior and the interstitial space
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for preventing diffusers in pumps such as electric submersible pumps from bursting or collapsing in over-pressure and/or under-pressure conditions, where one or more diffusers in the pump includes check valves in the exterior diffuser wall. The check valves remain closed when a pressure differential between the diffuser interior and exterior is within a predetermined range, but open when the pressure differential between the diffuser interior and the interstitial space is outside the predetermined range to relieve overpressure and underpressure conditions. When the pressure differential returns to an acceptable range, the check valves close, preventing recirculation of fluid between the diffusers of the different stages. O-rings or other types of seals may be installed between each stage and the pump housing to provide some isolation of the external pressure on the diffuser of each stage.