Reversible Jet Pump Assembly for Through-Access Maintenance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional jet pumps used in hydrocarbon production applications have immovably attached diffusers and components, hindering downhole cleaning and maintenance operations, as the entire tubing string must be removed to access the well bore for maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A reversible operation jet pump design featuring a pump housing with a retrievable jet pump assembly that can be selectively oriented, allowing the assembly to be removed and reinserted while the housing remains attached to the tubing string, enabling unobstructed maintenance and access below the pump.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the jet pump assembly is immovably attached to the tubing string, then the structural integrity and operational reliability are improved, but the ease of maintenance and accessibility for downhole cleaning are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump system is divided into two main segments: a stationary pump housing that remains attached to the tubing string, and a movable jet pump assembly that can be independently removed. This segmentation allows the housing to maintain structural integrity while the assembly can be accessed for maintenance without removing the entire tubing string.
Solution Approach 2:
The jet pump assembly is extracted from the pump housing through a retrieval mechanism that allows the assembly to be removed from the wellbore while the housing remains in place. This extraction capability enables maintenance operations without requiring complete disassembly of the tubing string connection.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the jet pump assembly is fixed in position within the housing, then the operational stability is improved, but the adaptability for reversible operation and maintenance access is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The jet pump assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capability, allowing it to be moved between different orientations (upside-up and upside-down) and positions within the pump housing. This dynamic adaptability enables reversible operation modes while maintaining operational stability during each configured state.
Solution Approach 2:
The pump housing is designed with universal functionality to accommodate the jet pump assembly in multiple configurations. The housing includes features that support both normal and reversed operation modes, allowing the same housing structure to perform multiple functions with different assembly orientations.
3Ease of operation
If the entire tubing string is removed for maintenance, then complete access to the wellbore is achieved, but the loss of production time and operational efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of removing the entire tubing string, only the jet pump assembly is extracted from the pump housing through a specialized retrieval mechanism. This selective extraction provides complete wellbore access for maintenance operations while leaving the tubing string and pump housing in place, significantly reducing production downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into components with different maintenance requirements. The jet pump assembly can be independently accessed and maintained without affecting the tubing string or pump housing, allowing localized maintenance operations that minimize operational disruption and time loss.
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
Facilitates unobstructed cleaning and maintenance of the well bore by allowing the jet pump assembly to be removed and reoriented, maintaining access through the tubing string, thus enhancing operational efficiency and accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
a pressurized power fluid creates a smaller, higher velocity stream which draws a suction fluid into the nozzle chamber
Implementation Method 2
a pressurized power fluid creates a smaller, higher velocity stream which draws a suction fluid into the nozzle chamber
Implementation Method 3
The mixed fluid expands in the diverging passage, reducing the velocity and increasing the pressure of the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A through-accessible reversible operation jet pump for attachment to a tubing string includes a pump housing having a pump housing interior and a jet pump assembly retrievably disposed in the pump housing interior. The jet pump assembly includes a carrier, a carrier nozzle in the carrier and at least one carrier opening in the carrier and establishing communication between the carrier nozzle and the pump housing interior. The jet pump assembly is adapted to be selectively removed from the pump housing interior through the tubing string as the pump housing remains attached to the tubing string. The carrier or the jet pump assembly is selectively positional in a first orientation in the pump housing interior to facilitate operation of the jet pump in a first fluid flow direction operational mode. The carrier of the jet pump assembly is selectively positional in a second orientation in the pump housing interior to facilitate operation of the jet pump in a second fluid flow direction operational mode opposite the first fluid flow direction operational mode.