Baker Hughes Corporation

Apergy Esp Systems, LLC

Baojun Song

David Chilcoat

David S Baillargeon

Stationary diffusers, downhole centrifugal pumps, and methods of pressurizing a fluid may include vanes configured to direct fluid flow through fluid passageways, where at least some of the vanes include a bulge or protrusion extending axially beyond the fluid passageways into an open rotational volume of the diffuser in a direction toward an impeller.

Downhole centrifugal pump diffuser with protuberant vanes and related pumps and methods

The present disclosure relates to a downhole centrifugal pump system designed to include a diffuser configuration which optimally transfers fluid and builds head pressure at a dead zone between the diffuser and an adjacently upper impeller, the dead zone being defined as an open rotational area between the stationary diffuser and the adjacently upper impeller. The diffuser includes a first side for receiving fluid from a first impeller and a second side for transferring the fluid upwardly to the adjacently upper impeller. The diffuser also includes a plurality of vanes that direct fluid flow from the first side to the second side. Each vane of the diffuser includes an edge at the second side that includes a bulge between a proximal edge and a distal edge on the second side. The bulge advantageously extends upwardly toward the second impeller to reduce the dead zone relative to if the second edge extended linearly from the proximal edge to the distal edge. The structure of the bulge facilitates a head pressure buildup at the dead zone that improves the efficiency of the downhole centrifugal pump system as fluid moves from the diffuser to the adjacently upper impeller.

Downhole centrifugal pump diffuser with protuberant vanes

A pump having an insert between an impeller and diffuser, where the insert includes an annulus that is in communication with fluid flow passages in the impeller and diffuser. The passages and annulus define a fluid flow path through the pump. Vanes are provided in the annulus that can pivot and vary the cross sectional area of the fluid flow path. Regulating the fluid flow path area alters the flow rate where the pump operates at its maximum efficiency. Thus by monitoring flow through the pump, the vanes can be adjusted so the flow rate of maximum efficiency corresponds to the actual flow rate.

Adjustable vane diffuser insert for electrical submersible pump

An electric submersible pump (ESP) assembly increases pump efficiency and pump head with a diffuser that includes a diffuser vane having a low pressure surface with a length greater than a length of a high pressure surface of the vane. The diffuser vane includes a leading edge at a downstream end of the vane and a trailing edge at an upstream end of the vane. The curved high pressure surface extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge. The curved low pressure surface extends between the leading edge and the trailing edge opposite the high pressure surface. The low pressure surface has a bump formed thereon to increase the length of the low pressure surface so that fluid flowing along the low pressure surface is substantially laminar, thereby increasing pump efficiency and pump head.

Diffuser bump vane profile

An electrical submersible pumping system having a pump, a motor, a shaft connecting the pump and motor. Coaxially stacked rotating impellers and stationary diffusers are coaxially housed within the pump. Radial ports are formed in a hub of the diffusers that direct fluid pressurized by an impeller to a cavity formed on the shroud of the impeller. Axial ports are formed in the shrouds of the impellers that direct fluid from the cavity to a fluid flow passage within the impeller. Strategic placement and sizing of the radial and axial ports balances thrust forces exerted onto the impeller.

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Tulsa, OK, United States of America

Baojun Song