Abstract:
The present invention provides a pump system comprising a bearing housing coupled to a pump liner, the pump liner defining a fluid conduit, the pump liner comprising a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one rotor having a first rotor portion and a second rotor portion, the first rotor portion being disposed within the fluid conduit and the second rotor portion being disposed within the bearing housing; the first rotor portion comprising a first conveying stage adjacent to the bearing housing, and a second conveying stage adjacent to the first conveying stage, the first and second conveying stages being configured to convey a fluid, the first conveying stage being configured to convey the fluid from the bearing housing into the fluid conduit. The new pump systems rely on a dynamic restriction to reduce the need for mechanical seals between bearing housings and raw process fluid.
Abstract:
A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.
Abstract:
In a pump system, a process fluid is directed into inlet chambers of a pump casing at an inlet pressure, and a plurality of rotors disposed inside the pump casing are rotated to pump the process fluid from the inlet chambers to an outlet chamber located between the inlet chambers, wherein the process fluid in the outlet chambers is at an outlet pressure. The process fluid is directed from the outlet chamber to a separator configured to separate particulate matter from the process fluid, and a portion of separated process fluid is directed from the separator to a gear chamber of the pump. Pump bearings are lubricated with the portion of separated process fluid from the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the separated process fluid from the pump bearing is leaked to the inlet chambers via rotor shrouds to reduce accumulation of particulate matter in the inlet chambers. A pump system and a method for operating a pump system are disclosed.
Abstract:
A pump system includes inlet chambers, an outlet chamber, and rotors disposed inside the inlet chambers and the outlet chamber to pump a process fluid from the inlet chambers to the outlet chamber and to direct the process fluid to a separator. A gear chamber is configured to receive a portion of the process fluid from the separator. First and second sets of pump bearings are coupled to the rotors and lubricated by the portion of the process fluid flowing from the gear chamber. A conduit is configured to direct the portion of the process fluid from the pump bearings back to the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the process fluid lubricating the pump bearings is permitted to leak to the inlet chambers. Additional process fluid is continually added to the portion of the process fluid to compensate for fluid leaking to the inlet chambers.
Abstract:
An article having low wettability is presented. The article comprises a body portion and a surface portion disposed on the body portion. The surface portion comprises a plurality of features disposed on the body portion, and the features have a size, shape, and orientation selected such that the surface portion has a wettability sufficient to generate, with a reference liquid, a contact angle of at least about 100 degrees. The features comprise a height dimension (h) and a width dimension (a), and are disposed in a spaced-apart relationship characterized by a spacing dimension (b). The ratio of b/a and the ratio of h/a are such that the drop exhibits metastable non- Wenzel behavior.
Abstract:
A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.
Abstract:
SEABED WELL INFLUX CONTROL SYSTEM Apparatuses useable in an offshore drilling installation close to the seabed for controlling well influx within a wellbore are provided. An apparatus includes a centralizer and flow constrictor assembly, a sensor and a controller. The centralizer and flow constrictor assembly are configured to centralize a drill string within a drill riser and regulate a return mud flow. The sensor is located close to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and configured to acquire values of at least one parameter related to the return mud flow. The controller is coupled to the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly and the sensor. The controller is configured to control the centralizer and flow constrictor assembly to achieve a value of a control parameter close to a predetermined value, based on the values acquired by the sensor. 152 148 158 __130__146_ 140 154 120-N130 118 0 -l06X 1n12 14 130 146 140
Abstract:
In a pump system, a process fluid is directed into inlet chambers of a pump casing at an inlet pressure, and a plurality of rotors disposed inside the pump casing are rotated to pump the process fluid from the inlet chambers to an outlet chamber located between the inlet chambers, wherein the process fluid in the outlet chambers is at an outlet pressure. The process fluid is directed from the outlet chamber to a separator configured to separate particulate matter from the process fluid, and a portion of separated process fluid is directed from the separator to a gear chamber of the pump. Pump bearings are lubricated with the portion of separated process fluid from the gear chamber. Some of the portion of the separated process fluid from the pump bearing is leaked to the inlet chambers via rotor shrouds to reduce accumulation of particulate matter in the inlet chambers.
Abstract:
A flow control system for drilling a well comprises a conduit defining a channel configured to accommodate a drill pipe and a flow of a returning drilling fluid, and an acoustic sensor array configured to detect a flow rate of the returning drilling fluid. The flow control system further comprises a flow control device configured to control the flow rate of the returning drilling fluid and to be actuated in response to an event detected by the sensor array, the flow control device being proximate to the sensor array.