Undulating Impeller Leading Edge for Centrifugal Pump Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal submersible pumps face efficiency and capacity issues due to changes in fluid density, such as gas or emulsions, leading to choked flow.
Innovation Solution
The electric submersible pump features an impeller with an undulating profile on its leading edge, increasing turbulence and mixing of fluids, preventing choked flow by enhancing fluid homogenization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional impeller with a smooth leading edge is used, then the pump structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but fluid density changes cause choked flow and decreased pump efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The impeller vane features an undulating leading edge profile that creates localized turbulence only at the leading edge where fluid enters the impeller. This localized modification improves fluid mixing and prevents choked flow without requiring complex changes to the entire impeller structure, thus resolving the contradiction between pump efficiency and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The leading edge of the impeller vane is designed with an undulating curved profile rather than a straight or simple curved edge. This curvature variation creates controlled turbulence in the fluid flow, improving mixing and preventing gas lock, thereby enhancing pump efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall impeller design
2Reliability
If the impeller vane has a complex undulating profile, then fluid mixing and homogenization improve, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The undulating leading edge profile is defined by specific geometric parameters (amplitude, wavelength, number of undulations) that can be optimized to achieve effective fluid mixing. By controlling these parameters within certain ranges, the patent achieves reliable fluid homogenization while maintaining manufacturability, as the profile can be produced using standard machining or casting processes with moderate precision requirements
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 design improves pump efficiency and prevents gas lock, increasing lift and operating range without significant changes in drag forces.
Implementation Method 1
An undulating profile is provided on an end of the vane that faces the hub, where the profile defines a leading edge. Thus when fluid from the fluid inlet contacts the leading edge, turbulence is increased in the fluid to mix the fluid and homogenize the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal pumping system having a stack of impellers and diffusers for pressurizing fluid. The impellers are rotated by a motor for pressurizing and lifting fluid from within a wellbore. Undulating profiles are provided on leading edges of the impellers for inducing turbulence in the fluid being pumped. Increasing turbulence better homogenizes the fluid, so that choked flow is avoided when different density components are present in the fluid. Reducing the possibility of choked flow increases pump efficiency and lift capacity.