Gas Resistant Impeller Borehole Feedback Flow Path

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gas buildup in the low-pressure path of centrifugal pumps used in ESPs can lead to reduced production and pump gas locking, causing operational delays and reliability issues, especially in gassy applications.

Innovation Solution

The impeller design incorporates strategically formed boreholes in the shroud near the inlet of the vanes on the low-pressure side, allowing high-pressure fluid from the discharge side to create a feedback flow path, which flushes gas bubbles and prevents gas pocket formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional impeller design is used, then the pump can operate with standard structure, but gas buildup occurs in the low-pressure path causing gas locking and reduced production

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepump operation reliabilityVSAvoidgas pocket formation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller shroud is segmented by forming boreholes that divide the low-pressure flow path into multiple channels. This segmentation prevents gas bubbles from coalescing into large gas pockets that would block flow, allowing gas to be dispersed and carried through the pump along with the liquid stream.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The boreholes act as intermediary channels that facilitate the interaction between high-pressure discharge fluid and the low-pressure inlet flow path. The high-pressure fluid flows through the boreholes to directly contact and disperse gas bubbles in the low-pressure path, preventing gas locking without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the impeller operates in gassy applications, then it can handle fluid with gas content, but gas buildup slows production and causes operational delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle gassy fluidVSAvoidproduction rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The boreholes create a feedback mechanism where high-pressure discharge fluid is redirected back into the low-pressure inlet flow path. This feedback flow continuously flushes gas bubbles from the inlet area, ensuring that even in gassy applications, the pump maintains high productivity by preventing gas accumulation that would otherwise slow production.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of manufacture

If the impeller maintains standard design, then manufacturing is straightforward, but gas lock causes operational delays and reliability issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpeller manufacturing simplicityVSAvoidpump operational reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The impeller shroud incorporates boreholes that create a porous-like structure, allowing fluid to pass through the shroud material itself. This design maintains ease of manufacture using conventional drilling or forming techniques while dramatically improving reliability by preventing gas lock through the porous flow path that disperses gas bubbles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

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 design effectively reduces gas pocket formation and associated operational issues, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of ESPs by ensuring continuous fluid throughput.

Implementation Method 1

The impeller has several vanes for imparting mechanical energy to the fluid using centrifugal force of rotation. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the impeller within a pump and impellers create a low pressure (LP) flow path and high pressure (HP) flow path around the vanes within the impellers.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

at least one discharge flow path in fluid communication with a section of the low pressure flow path... allowing high-pressure fluid from the discharge side to create a feedback flow path, which flushes gas bubbles

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPressure differential: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS11293445B2Gas resistant impeller having lower upthrust for use with a centrifugal pump

Publication Date: 2022.04.05 HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES INC

AI summary

An impeller for pumping fluid that comprises discharge flow paths that allow high pressure liquid to be used to flush out low pressure gas that can accumulate within the internal structure of the impeller. The impeller comprises transition regions, vanes, and at least one discharge flow path. The vanes are rotational about a central axis. The transition regions and the plurality of vanes have a high pressure flow path and a low pressure flow path. The at least one discharge flow path is in fluid communication with a section of the low pressure flow path of at least one of the transition region(s) and the vane(s).