Apparatus and system for sealing submersible pump assemblies

A seal section for an electric submersible pump assembly comprising:

• a rotatable shaft extending axially through a seal section;
• a top portion of the seal section comprising:
• a sand barrier that blocks sand from accumulating on a mechanical seal, the sand barrier substantially sealed from leaks on an inner and outer diameter;
• an adapter secured between a pump intake and a head of the seal section,
• the adapter holds the sand barrier in place;
• the mechanical seal coupled to the rotatable shaft within the adapter and cooled by well fluid flowing through the adapter, and
• the head tubularly surrounding a bearing set in motor oil and coupled to a seal section housing;
• wherein the bearing set further comprises:
• a thrust bearing coupled to the head and a thrust runner keyed to the rotatable shaft.

A seal section for an electric submersible pump assembly comprising:

• a rotatable shaft extending axially through a seal section;
• a top portion of the seal section comprising:
• a sand barrier that blocks sand from accumulating on a mechanical seal, the sand barrier substantially sealed from leaks on an inner and outer diameter;
• a sand barrier stop extending longitudinally and around the outer diameter of the sand barrier, the sand barrier stop coupled to a centrifugal pump intake,
• an adapter secured between the sand barrier stop and a head,
• the sand barrier wedged between the sand barrier stop and the adapter,
• the mechanical seal coupled to the rotatable shaft within the adapter and cooled by well fluid flowing through the adapter, and;
• the head tubularly surrounding a bearing set in motor oil and coupled to a seal section body;
• wherein the bearing set further comprises:
• a thrust bearing coupled to the head and a thrust runner keyed to the rotatable shaft.

A electric submersible pump (ESP) system for pumping solid-laden fluid comprising:

• a top portion of a seal section secured on a downstream side to an ESP intake, the top portion comprising:
• a sand barrier portion defined by a sand barrier stop, the sand barrier stop secured between the ESP intake and an adapter portion, the sand barrier portion comprising a sand barrier that prevents sand from accumulating on a mechanical seal, the sand barrier sealedly coupled to a rotatable shaft on an inner diameter and sandwiched between the sand barrier stop and the adapter portion on an outer diameter,
• the adapter portion tubularly encasing the mechanical seal cooled by well fluid flowing through the adapter portion, the adapter portion secured between the sand barrier portion and a head portion, and
• the head portion secured between the adapter portion and a seal section housing, the head portion comprising a bearing set in motor oil, the bearing set comprising:
• a thrust bearing and a thrust runner, wherein each of the thrust bearing and the thrust runner comprises at least one pad;
• and
• the at least one pad of each of the thrust bearing and the thrust runner comprising a diamond-like carbon (DLC) layer on an outer surface such that the DLC layer on the thrust bearing faces the DLC layer on the thrust runner.

An apparatus for absorbing a thrust of an electric submersible pump (ESP) comprising:

• an ESP configured to pump a well fluid;
• an electric motor operatively coupled to the ESP, the motor operating to rotate a shaft of the ESP;
• a seal section located between the ESP and the motor, the seal section comprising:
• a thrust bearing comprising a plurality of bearing pads, wherein each of the plurality of bearing pads has a deposition diamond-like carbon film on an outer surface of the bearing pad, the deposition diamond-like carbon film having a thickness of between one and six microns, and
• a thrust runner paired with the thrust bearing to form a bearing set, wherein the thrust runner rotates with the shaft, the thrust runner comprising having a single disc shaped runner pad secured within an impression in a thrust runner base, wherein the single pad has a deposition diamond-like carbon film on an outer surface of the single runner pad, the deposition diamond-like carbon film having a thickness of between one and six microns;
• wherein the bearing set is located in a head in a top portion of the seal section;
• wherein the head is secured between an adapter and a seal section housing, and wherein the adapter comprises a mechanical seal;
• wherein the adapter is secured between the head and a sand barrier stop.