External Expansion Chamber for Seabed ESP Motor Oil
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Solution Overview
Problem
The expansion and contraction of dielectric lubricant in sea floor submersible electric pump motors lead to oil migration and contamination, requiring longer ESP systems and potentially costly downtime due to internal expansion chamber failures.
Innovation Solution
An external expansion chamber system comprising a primary and secondary chamber, connected via oil and formation fluid lines, allows the motor oil to expand and contract externally, reducing leaks and contamination, and is designed to be more reliable and efficient without increasing the length of the ESP system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an internal expansion chamber is used to accommodate oil expansion, then oil migration and contamination are prevented, but the ESP system length increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber is extracted from the internal ESP system and relocated to an external position near the sea floor. The oil line connects the motor to the external expansion chamber, allowing oil expansion accommodation without increasing the ESP system length. This separation resolves the contradiction by maintaining oil containment functionality while eliminating the length penalty.
Solution Approach 2:
An external expansion chamber serves as an intermediary component between the motor and the surrounding environment. It mediates the oil expansion issue by providing a dedicated volume for expanded oil, preventing migration and contamination while keeping the ESP system compact.
2Reliability
If an internal expansion chamber is used, then oil expansion is accommodated, but the risk of system failure increases and downtime increases
Solution Approach 1:
The oil expansion management function is segmented into a separate external expansion chamber, independent of the main ESP system. This segmentation means that if the expansion chamber fails or requires maintenance, the ESP system itself remains intact and can continue operating, thereby reducing downtime and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The external expansion chamber provides a pre-established volume for oil expansion, preventing pressure buildup and potential failures. By accommodating expansion beforehand in a dedicated external chamber, the system avoids the catastrophic failures that would require system replacement and cause extended downtime.
3Reliability
If the ESP system is made longer to include an internal expansion chamber, then oil expansion is accommodated, but installation difficulty increases and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion chamber functionality is extracted from the ESP system proper and placed externally. This allows the ESP to be installed using standard lengths and procedures, maintaining high installation efficiency and productivity, while the external expansion chamber is installed separately near the sea floor.
Solution Approach 2:
The expansion chamber is relocated from the longitudinal dimension (within the ESP string) to an external dimension near the sea floor. This dimensional change allows the ESP system to maintain its compact length for efficient installation, while the expansion accommodation function is provided in a different spatial location.
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 solution extends the life and reliability of the motor by minimizing oil loss and contamination, while reducing the length of the ESP system and minimizing the risk of internal expansion chamber failures.
Implementation Method 1
During operation, the temperature of the oil in the motor of the ESP increases due to friction in the motor, causing the volume of the oil to also expand.
Implementation Method 2
The primary chamber expands to equalize the pressure between the motor oil and formation fluid.
Data Source
AI summary
An expansion chamber to serve ESP equipment installed on the seabed located in either a caisson or a conduit on a skid. The expansion chamber provides an external reservoir for expansion and contraction of motor oil in the ESP equipment. During operation of an ESP, the heat generated in the motor raises the temperature of the motor oil, causing it to expand. The expansion chamber is connected to the ESP equipment via oil lines that allow oil to expand into the expansion chamber when the temperature of the motor oil increases. The expansion chamber has a movable barrier therein that defines primary and secondary chamber. Oil communicates with the primary chamber. Formation fluid within the conduit surrounding the motor communicates with the secondary chamber.