Multiphase Pump Recycle Circuit for Abrupt Fluid Composition Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional multiphase pumping devices in underwater oil drilling wells face challenges with high-power pumps, particularly in managing abrupt changes in fluid composition, which can lead to mechanical issues and failures due to inadequate flow management and pressure handling.
Innovation Solution
A multiphase pumping device incorporating a pump, a recycle circuit, and a splitter tank to separate liquid and gas phases, with controllable valves and a mixer tank to maintain a minimum flow rate and stabilize fluid composition, ensuring the pump operates safely and efficiently even during abrupt changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-power multiphase pumps are used to increase pumping capacity, then productivity is improved, but the risk of mechanical deterioration increases due to inadequate flow management during abrupt fluid composition changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by detecting abrupt changes in fluid composition (gas liquid ratio) and preemptively adjusting the recycle circuit valve to maintain minimum flow rate through the pump. This prevents mechanical deterioration before it occurs by ensuring continuous liquid flow during composition transitions, thereby protecting high-power pumps while maintaining productivity.
2Reliability
If the recycle circuit is used to maintain minimum flow rate for pump protection, then reliability is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to additional circulation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies dynamics by making the recycle circuit valve position dynamic rather than fixed. The valve automatically adjusts its opening degree based on real-time detection of fluid composition changes. During normal operation, the valve remains closed to avoid energy waste. During abrupt composition changes, the valve opens to maintain minimum flow rate and protect the pump. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling pump protection only when necessary, thereby minimizing energy loss while maintaining reliability.
3Loss of energy
If the pump operates without sufficient liquid flow during gas clog conditions, then energy efficiency is improved by avoiding recycle circulation, but mechanical deterioration occurs due to inadequate cooling and lubrication
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using a detector to monitor fluid composition (gas liquid ratio) and automatically controlling the recycle circuit valve based on detected conditions. When gas clog conditions are detected that would lead to insufficient liquid flow, the system responds by opening the recycle valve to maintain minimum flow rate through the pump. This feedback mechanism prevents mechanical deterioration by ensuring adequate cooling and lubrication during gas-dominated flow conditions, while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during normal operation.
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 protects multiphase pumps by maintaining a stable fluid composition and flow rate, preventing mechanical deterioration and ensuring continuous operation by reinjecting a liquid portion upstream, thus enhancing energy efficiency and pump longevity.
Implementation Method 1
a splitter tank (115) connected to a area downstream of the pump and suitable for separating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase using said pumping fluid
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a multiphase pumping device comprising a pump suitable for pumping a pumping fluid, a recycle circuit and at splitter tank. The splitter tank is connected to an area downstream of the pump and is suitable for separating a liquid phase and a gaseous phase using pumping fluid. In addition, the recycle circuit is connected to the splitter tank and is suitable for enabling the flow of the liquid phase from the splitter tank to an area upstream of the pump.