Gas Restrictor Valve for Submersible Well Pump
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Solution Overview
Problem
Submersible well pumps become less efficient when significant amounts of gas from the well fluid enter the intake, particularly in horizontal wells, affecting the pumping of viscous crude oil.
Innovation Solution
A tubular housing with circumferentially spaced apertures and valve members that control fluid flow, utilizing gravitational force to displace valve elements and prevent gas from entering the pump, while allowing fluidic materials to flow through lower radial passages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gas restrictors or separators are coupled to the intake of pump in horizontal wells, then gas entry into pump is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into multiple radial passages (upper and lower) that are circumferentially spaced apart, with valve members selectively positioned in each passage. This segmentation allows independent control of fluid flow paths, enabling the system to separate gas and fluid phases while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex mechanical separators or gas restrictors that add significant structure, the invention inverts the approach by using simple valve members that can be positioned in different radial passages based on fluid phase. The valve members act as selective gates that open for fluid phase and close for gas phase, achieving gas separation through a simplified mechanism.
2Reliability
If valve members are added to control flow into each aperture, then gas entry is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve members are designed to automatically respond to the presence of gas or fluid phase without requiring external control mechanisms. When gas enters the housing, it causes the valve members to close in the radial passages; when fluid phase is present, the valves remain open. This self-actuating mechanism eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, or actuators, significantly simplifying manufacturing.
3Productivity
If multiple radial passages are used for fluid entry, then pumping efficiency is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different radial passages are assigned different functions based on their orientation: upper radial passages are positioned to receive fluid phase while lower radial passages are positioned to receive gas phase. This local differentiation of passage functions allows the housing structure to efficiently separate phases while maintaining a relatively simple cylindrical geometry with uniformly distributed passages.
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 solution effectively prevents gas from entering the pump, maintaining efficiency and ensuring effective pumping of well fluids, even in conditions with high gas content.
Implementation Method 1
controlling a degree to which materials flow into the inlet passages of the valve by permitting a gravitational force to displace the valve elements relative to the valve
Data Source
AI summary
An inlet apparatus for a well pump.