Single Conduit Pump with Variable Volume Chamber for Wellbore Deliquification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pumps for remote locations, particularly in wellbores, require high power and are costly, with existing technologies facing challenges in efficiently pumping fluids and maintaining gas production due to accumulated liquids, which impede gas flow and increase production costs.
Innovation Solution
A single conduit pump with a pump barrel having two sections of different diameters, featuring connected pistons that move axially to create a variable volume chamber, utilizing biasing means and check valves to pump fluids efficiently by cyclically applying and releasing actuating pressure, allowing for remote actuation without a prime mover at the pump site.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If conventional pumps are used in remote wellbore locations, then pumping function is achieved, but power requirements and operational costs become excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical prime movers (electric motors, hydraulic pumps) with a pressure-driven mechanical system. Cyclic pressure applied at the discharge end moves the piston back and forth, eliminating the need for high-power mechanical components at the remote wellbore location while maintaining reliable pumping function through pressure differential control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a fluid medium (gas or liquid) as an intermediary to transmit energy from the discharge end to the piston. This pressure medium acts as a mediator that transfers energy remotely without requiring direct mechanical connection or high-power equipment at the pump location, thereby reducing power requirements while ensuring reliable operation
2Ease of operation
If two-conduit hydraulic pumps are used, then remote actuation is achieved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the actuation function and the discharge function into a single conduit system. The same conduit that discharges pumped fluid also serves as the pathway for applying actuating pressure to the piston, eliminating the need for a separate actuation line and simplifying the overall system configuration while maintaining remote actuation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The discharge conduit is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both the fluid discharge pathway and the pressure transmission line for actuating the piston. This multi-functional design reduces system complexity by eliminating redundant components while preserving the ability to remotely actuate the pump
3Productivity
If accumulated liquids are left in the wellbore, then gas production continues, but backpressure increases and gas flow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic cyclic pressure application to the piston, creating alternating suction and discharge phases. During the suction phase, the piston moves to create negative pressure that draws accumulated liquids into the pump chamber and discharges them through the conduit, thereby periodically removing liquid accumulations that would otherwise increase backpressure and impede gas production
Solution Approach 2:
The pump system proactively removes accumulated liquids before they can significantly increase backpressure and impede gas production. By continuously or periodically extracting liquids, the system prevents the buildup of harmful pressure rather than merely responding to pressure increases, thereby maintaining optimal gas production conditions
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 enables low-power, efficient fluid pumping and deliquification of gas wells, reducing wellbore production impediments by cyclically moving fluids through a single conduit, thereby maintaining and improving gas production with reduced operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
biasing means for biasing the first and second pistons to the discharge position
Implementation Method 2
an inlet check valve to permit fluid to move from the fluid source to the variable volume chamber; and an outlet check valve to permit fluid to move from the variable volume chamber to the discharge conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A pump has a pump barrel formed from a larger diameter section and a smaller diameter section. Each section has a biased piston moveable within the section and the pistons are connected together to form a variable volume chamber between the pistons. As the connected pistons move toward the larger diameter section, a volume of fluid is moved through an inlet valve into the variable volume chamber of increasing volume. When the pistons are moved toward the smaller diameter section, a differential volume of fluid is discharged from the variable volume chamber of decreasing volume through a discharge valve into a discharge conduit. The pistons are actuated to move within the pump barrel by application and release of pressure at a remote end of the discharge conduit.