A numerical investigation on a capsule-intake of the electrical submersible pump in skid

Author(s)

Damiani Rocha, Andre ^[1] ; Solano, Guilherme Alonso ^[1] ; Dezan, Daniel Jonas ^[1] ; Monte Verde, William ^[2] ; Biazussi, Jorge Luiz ^[2] ; Bannwart, Antonio Carlos ^[3]

Affiliation

^[1] Fed Univ ABC, Lab Simulat & Modeling Energy Engn, BR-09210580 Santo Andre, SP - Brazil

^[2] Univ Estadual Campinas, Ctr Petr Studies, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

^[3] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Mech Engn Campinas, BR-13083970 Campinas, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: OIL & GAS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY-REVUE DE L INSTITUT FRANCAIS DU PETROLE; v. 76, APR 1 2021.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

The Electrical Submersible Pumping (ESP) system is one of the most commonly used artificial lift methods in the petroleum industry and one recent breakthrough in this system is enclosed in a capsule and positioned on the seabed in a skid. As it is a recent technology, with only a small amount of equipment currently in operation, there is a clear need for a greater understanding of the flow within this geometry with the objective of perfecting the design of this promising submarine boosting system. This paper presents a numerical investigation of single-phase flow within the scaled capsule-intake of an ESP system in the Skid considering a model with geometric and dynamic similarities in relation to a real equipment in operation in the Espadarte field, located in the Campos Basin, Brazil. The tridimensional and transient simulation for a case for one mass flow rate and inclination angles are investigated. While neglecting the effects of the diffuser and impeller in the system, the flow field features, axial and radial velocity profiles in the intake region were computed. The numerical results show that the flow in the intake region is dominated by the secondary flow, leading to the formation of bathtub vortex. It is expected that the vortices influence the flow pattern in the intake region, breaking the larger bubbles into smaller bubbles, making the transition from the slug flow pattern to the dispersed bubbles or bubbly pattern in which it would be more difficult to be dragged into the intake. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 17/06978-3 - Screening analyses and thermal-hydraulic performance optimization of flat-plate solar air heaters with longitudinal vortex generators
• Grantee: Daniel Jonas Dezan
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants