Linear Hydraulic Pump for Submersible Wellbore Applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electric submersible pumping systems are unsuitable for marginal or deviated wells due to high costs and premature failure in low-volume fluid production, where alternative lift systems like sucker rod pumps are undesirable.
Innovation Solution
A submersible pumping system incorporating a rotary hydraulic pump driven by an electric motor, which produces a pressurized working fluid to power a linear hydraulic pump, enabling efficient fluid extraction and temperature control of the motor lubricant fluid.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electric submersible pumping systems are used, then pumping capability is provided, but cost is high and reliability is poor in marginal or deviated wells
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into separate functional components: an electric motor, a hydraulic pump, and a linear pump. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently and reduces overall system complexity while improving reliability through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a hydraulic coupling between the motor and linear pump, using hydraulic fluid to transmit power. This hydraulic connection simplifies the mechanical linkage, reduces wear, and improves reliability in deviated wellbores where traditional mechanical connections fail.
2Productivity
If sucker rod pumps are used in deviated wellbores, then fluid extraction is achieved, but rod-on-tubing wear causes premature failure
Solution Approach 1:
The linear pump uses hydraulic actuation to move the plunger, eliminating mechanical rod-on-tubing contact. The hydraulic fluid transmits force through fluid pressure rather than direct mechanical contact, preventing wear and extending component lifespan in deviated wellbores.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical rod-pump system is replaced with a hydraulic system where force is transmitted through hydraulic fluid pressure. This substitution eliminates the wear mechanism inherent in mechanical rod-on-tubing contact while maintaining fluid extraction capability.
3Temperature
If motor lubricant fluid is circulated through the hydraulic pump, then temperature control is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic fluid serving the linear pump simultaneously functions as a cooling medium for the motor lubricant fluid. This multi-functionality allows temperature control without adding separate cooling system components, maintaining system simplicity while achieving thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic fluid circulation system is merged with the motor cooling system. The same fluid pathway serves both hydraulic actuation and thermal management functions, eliminating the need for separate cooling infrastructure and reducing overall system complexity.
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 allows for efficient fluid extraction in deviated wellbores by dividing the pumping system into smaller components, reducing wear and tear, and effectively cooling the motor lubricant fluid, thus extending the system's lifespan and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor that increases the pressure of the motor lubricant fluid
Implementation Method 2
The production pump is driven by the pressurized motor lubricant fluid
Implementation Method 3
providing the return of the motor lubricant fluid from the production pump to the electric motor at second temperature that is lower than the first temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A submersible pumping system has an electric motor, a rotary hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a linear hydraulic pump that is configured to move a production fluid. The rotary hydraulic pump produces a pressurized working fluid that drives the linear hydraulic pump. In another aspect, a method is disclosed for controlling the temperature of an electric motor within a submersible pumping system disposed in a wellbore. The method includes the steps of circulating motor lubricant through a hydraulically driven production pump to reduce the temperature of the motor lubricant.