Electric Submersible Pump Suction Port Protrusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric submersible pumps with closed impellers face efficiency reduction and liquid leakage issues due to increased vane width, which can cause shaft distortion and liquid entry into the motor side, especially when trying to increase flow rate by deepening the casing.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a casing with a spiral-shaped flow path and a convexly protruding suction port that is integral with the casing, allowing for a smaller gap between the closed impeller and suction port, minimizing lateral flow and vane width, thus reducing liquid entry into the motor side while maintaining increased flow rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the depth of the casing is increased to increase the flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the gap between the closed impeller and suction port increases causing liquid to flow laterally through the gap
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port is designed to protrude in the radial direction (horizontal dimension) rather than only in the axial direction (depth). This dimensional change allows the suction port to extend toward the closed impeller, reducing the radial gap while maintaining the axial depth for flow rate increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction port is designed with different geometric characteristics at different locations: it protrudes radially to reduce gap with the closed impeller, while maintaining axial depth for flow rate. The gap width is locally minimized at the suction port region through this protruding design.
2Productivity
If the vane width is increased to increase the flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the center of gravity of the closed impeller lowers causing shaft distortion and liquid entry into the electric motor side
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing flow rate by increasing vane width (axial dimension), the invention uses the protruding suction port (radial dimension) to reduce the radial gap, allowing the closed impeller to be positioned closer to the suction port without increasing vane width, thus maintaining center of gravity position while achieving flow rate increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the suction port (protrusion height and radial position) to achieve flow rate increase without changing the vane width parameter. This parameter substitution avoids the harmful effects of increased vane width on shaft distortion.
3Productivity
If the gap between the closed impeller and suction port is increased to increase flow rate, then the flow rate is improved, but the lateral flow rate of liquid through the gap increases reducing pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port protrudes in the radial direction to reduce the radial gap with the closed impeller. This dimensional change allows the gap to be minimized in the radial direction while maintaining adequate axial depth for flow rate, thereby reducing lateral liquid flow and improving pump efficiency.
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
This configuration effectively increases the flow rate while preventing liquid entry into the electric motor side, maintaining pump efficiency and reducing the risk of shaft distortion by adjusting the vane width and protrusion height of the suction flow-path portion.
Implementation Method 1
a casing including a flow path having a spiral shape, and a suction port for drawing liquid into the flow path
Implementation Method 2
a closed impeller including a vane portion, a main plate holding the vane portion, and a side plate opened on the suction port side of the casing
Implementation Method 3
a sealing portion that prevents leakage of liquid in the casing (e.g., drawn water) to the electric motor side is attached onto a main shaft on the electric motor side of the casing
Data Source
AI summary
An electric submersible pump (100) includes a casing (11) and a closed impeller (4), and the casing includes a suction flow-path portion (14) that faces the closed impeller, has a suction port protruding in a convex shape and is formed integrally with the casing.