Electric submersible pump with ultrasound for solid buildup removal

A system for providing artificial lift to wellbore fluids having solid buildup removal capabilities, the system comprising:

• a submersible pump string oriented to selectively boost a pressure of the wellbore fluids traveling from a wellbore towards an earth's surface through a tubular member extending within the wellbore, the submersible pump string including:
• a pump submerged in the wellbore fluids within the wellbore;
• a motor mechanically connected to the pump;
• and
• a seal assembly located between the pump and the motor;
• an ultrasonic generator connected to the submersible pump string;
• an ultrasonic transducer connected to the ultrasonic generator;
• and wherein
• the ultrasonic transducer is operable to generate pressure waves within the system, selectively bombarding the submersible pump string with ultrasonic cavitation.

A method for providing artificial lift to wellbore fluids and solid buildup removal, the method comprising:

• providing a pump, a motor for powering the pump, and a seal assembly having a first side connected to the motor and a second side connected to the pump, wherein the pump, the motor and the seal assembly together form a submersible pump string;
• connecting an ultrasonic generator and ultrasonic transducer to the submersible pump string;
• submerging the pump in the wellbore fluids to boost a pressure of the wellbore fluids traveling from a wellbore towards an earth's surface through a tubular member extending within the wellbore;
• and
• generating an electric pulse with the ultrasonic generator, providing the electric pulse to the ultrasonic transducer, and directing pressure waves within the wellbore fluids towards the submersible pump string with the ultrasonic transducer, bombarding the submersible pump string with ultrasonic cavitation and forming a jet that travels towards surfaces of the submersible pump string.