Electric submersible pump with specialized geometry for pumping viscous crude oil
AssigneeBaker Hughes Incorporated
InventorsFarral D. Gay, Mark C. James, Joseph E. Vandevier
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A centrifugal pump has impellers for pumping low flow, high viscous materials. The impellers have high exit angles greater than 30 degrees and preferably greater than 50 degrees. The impellers and diffusers have specific geometry that varies with viscosity. The pump has zones of impellers and diffusers with the exit angles and geometry in the zones differing from the other zones. The exit angles decrease and geometry varies in a downstream direction to account for a lower viscosity occurring due to heat being generated in the pump. One design employs small diameter impellers and high rotational speeds.
Claims31
A method of pumping a viscous material in a well with a submersible pump assembly comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing a centrifugal pump with a plurality of impellers, each of the impellers having vanes with an exit angle of greater than 30 degrees;
- (b) connecting an electric motor directly to the pump for driving the pump;
- (c) lowering the pump and the motor into a viscous fluid in the well having a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise;
- and
- (d) providing power to the motor to pump the viscous fluid.
A method of pumping a well fluid with a submersible pump assembly comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing a centrifugal pump having a plurality of zones, with each zone comprising a plurality of impellers with impeller vanes that have exit angles, wherein the exit angles in one zone differ from the exit angles in another zone;
- (b) connecting an electric motor to the pump;
- (c) lowering the pump and the motor into the well fluid in the well;
- (d) providing power to the motor to rotate the pump;
- and
- (e) causing the well fluid to be pumped by the pump.
A method of pumping a viscous fluid in a well with a submersible pump assembly comprising the following steps:
- (a) providing a centrifugal pump;
- (b) connecting an electric motor to the pump;
- (c) lowering the pump and the motor into the viscous fluid, which has a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise, in the well;
- and
- (d) providing power to the motor to rotate the pump with a speed greater than 3,500 rpm.
A well comprising the following:
- (a) a casing;
- (b) a viscous well fluid with a viscosity of at least 500 centipoise contained in the casing;
- and
- (c) a centrifugal pump located in the casing, the pump having a plurality of impellers, each having a plurality of impeller vanes that have an exit angle of greater than 30 degrees to pump the viscous fluid.
A submersible pump assembly comprising a centrifugal pump having a plurality of zones, with each zone comprising a plurality of impellers that have an exit angles, and wherein the exit angles differ from one zone to another zone.
A submersible pump assembly comprising the following:
- (a) a centrifugal pump comprising a plurality of impellers having a ratio of shaft diameter to impeller diameter of at least 0.30;
- (b) an electric motor for rotating the impeller at a speed greater than 3,500 rpm;
- and
- (c) a seal section located between the motor and the pump for equalizing hydrostatic pressure between the exterior of the motor with lubricant inside the motor.
A submersible pump assembly comprising the following:
- (a) a centrifugal pump comprising a plurality of impellers having a ratio of diffuser height to impeller diameter of at least 0.70;
- (b) an electric motor for rotating the shaft at a speed greater than 3,500 rpm;
- and
- (c) a seal section located between the motor and the pump for equalizing hydrostatic pressure between the exterior of the motor with lubricant inside the motor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.