Top Suction Fluid End for Positive Displacement Pumps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional positive displacement pumps face challenges such as abrasive fluid handling, proppant settlement, cavitation due to pressure variations, and cumbersome maintenance of the suction side components, particularly when pumping harsh fluids like fracturing fluids in oilfield operations.
Innovation Solution
A positive displacement wellbore servicing pump design featuring a fluid end with a suction bore positioned higher than the discharge bore, a suction header acting as an accumulator to reduce pressure variations, and a method utilizing gravity-assisted fluid transfer to minimize cavitation and proppant settling, while simplifying component maintenance by coaxial alignment of suction and access axes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the suction side components are located on the lower side of the pump, then the pump structure is compact, but maintenance and removal of suction side components become cumbersome and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the suction bore and suction valve assembly on the upper side of the pump housing rather than the lower side. This inversion makes the suction side components accessible from the top, allowing maintenance and removal operations to be performed more easily without disassembling the entire pump structure.
2Reliability
If conventional pumping systems are not properly tuned with an accumulator, then the system is simpler, but pressure variations cause cavitation within the pumping system
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an accumulator as an intermediary component between the power end and the fluid end of the pump. The accumulator absorbs pressure variations and acts as a buffer, preventing cavitation by maintaining stable pressure in the suction line without requiring complex system tuning.
3Productivity
If optimal pumping velocities are not maintained, then the system is simpler to operate, but proppants tend to settle from the fluid being pumped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a variable speed drive system that dynamically adjusts the pump speed based on operating conditions. This dynamic control maintains optimal pumping velocities to prevent proppant settling while allowing flexible operation across different flow rates and pressures.
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 design enhances efficiency, durability, and reduces wear by minimizing cavitation and proppant settling, improving fluid flow rates and reducing maintenance complexity, thus ensuring effective and reliable oilfield pumping operations.
Implementation Method 1
a suction header acting as an accumulator to reduce pressure variations
Implementation Method 2
transferring wellbore servicing fluid from the source of wellbore servicing fluid to a wellbore through the suction bore with the assistance of gravity
Data Source
AI summary
A positive displacement wellbore servicing pump having a power end and a fluid end is disclosed. The fluid end has a main chamber and a suction bore in fluid connection with the main chamber and the suction bore has a suction central axis vector. A discharge bore is in fluid connection with the main chamber and the discharge bore has a discharge central axis vector. A portion of the suction central axis vector is vertically higher than any portion of the discharge central axis vector. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a wellbore is also disclosed. A method of providing a wellbore servicing fluid to a fluid end of a positive displacement pump is also disclosed.