Progressing Cavity Pump Hydraulic Regulation for Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional progressing cavity pumps face challenges in efficiently pumping compressible multi-phase mixtures and viscous fluids due to non-uniform pressure distribution, leading to mechanical damage, cavitation, and reduced reliability, as the existing leakage flow compensation is inadequate for gas compression and viscous liquids.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of hydraulic regulation means within the pump to facilitate internal recirculation of the pumped fluid between cavities, controlling pressure distribution, leakage flow rates, and compensating for compressed volumes, thereby stabilizing temperatures and preventing cavitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional progressing cavity pumps are used to pump compressible multi-phase mixtures, then the pump structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the pressure distribution is non-uniform leading to mechanical damage and reduced reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is divided into multiple cavities (stages) along its length, with each cavity equipped with independent hydraulic regulation means. This segmentation allows localized pressure control in each cavity, ensuring uniform pressure distribution throughout the pump and preventing mechanical damage while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic regulation means are distributed at specific locations along the pump to control pressure locally in each cavity. This local quality approach ensures that each cavity maintains optimal pressure conditions for its specific operating conditions, achieving uniform pressure distribution and preventing cavitation and mechanical damage.
2Productivity
If higher rotation speeds are used to increase productivity, then the flow rate increases, but mechanical damage and cavitation occur due to non-uniform pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic regulation means create a feedback mechanism where pressure differences between cavities automatically regulate fluid recirculation. This feedback control maintains uniform pressure distribution even at higher rotation speeds, enabling increased productivity without compromising reliability by preventing mechanical damage and cavitation.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic regulation means utilize fluid dynamics and pressure differentials to control recirculation between cavities. This hydraulic approach enables automatic pressure equalization without mechanical intervention, allowing higher rotation speeds and increased flow rates while maintaining uniform pressure distribution and preventing cavitation.
3Strength
If rigid materials are used to prevent mechanical damage, then the pump durability increases, but the pump cannot handle viscous fluids and multi-phase mixtures effectively
Solution Approach 1:
Hydraulic regulation means dynamically adjust pressure parameters in each cavity to optimize performance for different fluid types. By controlling pressure distribution and recirculation, the pump can handle viscous fluids and multi-phase mixtures effectively while using rigid materials that provide mechanical strength and durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydraulic regulation system provides multi-functionality by simultaneously preventing mechanical damage through uniform pressure distribution and enabling effective handling of various fluid types including viscous fluids and multi-phase mixtures. This universal approach allows the pump to maintain both strength and adaptability across different operating conditions.
4Quantity of substance
If leakage flow between rotor and stator is increased to compensate for gas compression, then gas compression is compensated, but pressure distribution becomes non-uniform and temperatures rise
Solution Approach 1:
The pump is segmented into multiple cavities with independent hydraulic regulation, allowing localized control of recirculation and pressure. This segmentation enables effective gas volume compensation in each cavity while maintaining uniform pressure distribution and preventing excessive temperature rise that would occur with increased overall leakage flow.
Solution Approach 2:
Hydraulic regulation means utilize controlled recirculation of fluid between cavities to compensate for gas compression volumetric changes. This hydraulic approach provides precise pressure control and gas compensation without the uncontrolled leakage that causes non-uniform pressure distribution and excessive temperature increase.
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 ensures a uniform pressure distribution along the pump, prevents mechanical damage, and enhances the reliability and efficiency of the pump by allowing higher rotation speeds and flow rates, while using more rigid materials and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
hydraulic regulation means are provided for obtaining internal recirculation of the pumped fluid between at least two of said cavities under conditions capable of performing at least one function selected from: achieving the desired pressure distribution along the pump, stabilizing the temperatures, controlling the leakage flow rates, and compensating for the volumes of compressed gas
Implementation Method 2
The pressure distribution (FIG. 1(B)) along the pump 1 from the outlet 6 to the inlet 5, and the lubrication of the contact between the rotor 2 and the stator 3 are due to leaks flowing between the rotor 2 and the stator 3
Implementation Method 3
the presence of the gas in the pumped effluent leads to a process of compression whereby the gas is compressed, accompanied by a rise in temperature, because the cavity is of constant volume
Data Source
AI summary
This progressing cavity pump includes a helical rotor (2) mounted to turn inside a helical stator (3). The stator (3) and the rotor (2) are disposed such that the cavities (4) formed therebetween move from the inlet (5) towards the outlet (6). In this cavity pump, hydraulic regulation (HR) means are provided for obtaining internal recirculation of the pumped fluid between at least two of the cavities (4) under conditions capable of performing at least one function selected from: achieving the desired pressure distribution along the pump, stabilizing the temperatures, controlling the leakage flow rates, and compensating for the volumes of compressed gas.