Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps – Plural runners supported for relative motion or on separate... – Radial flow through concentric radially spaced blade rows
Patent
1994-08-29
1996-12-03
Larson, James
Rotary kinetic fluid motors or pumps
Plural runners supported for relative motion or on separate...
Radial flow through concentric radially spaced blade rows
4151692, 96217, F04D 3100
Patent
active
055802141
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to treatment of a multiphase fluid, for example, in a transport or separator system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The handling of a multiphase fluid, that is, a mixture of at least two fluids of different phases, presents problems arising for example from the different physical characteristics of liquids and gases, in particular, the virtual incompressibility of the former and the ready compressibility of the latter, and also from variations in the relative amounts of liquids and gases in the multiphase fluid. For example, in oil production, a well may produce a mixture of crude oil, crude gas, water and sand or like particulate material. It is desirable in many instances to place such a mixture under increased pressure, but this is difficult because pumps with impellets designed to pump liquid are unsuitable where the liquid contains a high gas content. Similarly, ordinary gas compressors are unsuitable for use where liquid is present in the gas in any substantial amount.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention, there is provided apparatus for treatment of a multi-phase fluid, comprising an inlet stage leading to a treatment stage, the inlet stage comprising a cyclonic separator device in which the multiphase fluid is divided into separate flows consisting at least substantially of fluid of higher and lower specific gravities respectively, for at least one of further separation, pumping, and compression in the treatment stage.
The invention is accordingly concerned in one aspect with the provision of a pump/compressor unit arranged for efficient pressurising of a multiphase fluid regardless of variations in the quantities of gas or liquid in the fluid.
A pump/compressor apparatus in accordance with the invention is thus arranged for receiving an incoming multiphase fluid and directing the fluid cyclonically to effect separation of the phases, with a stream of fluid with the highest specific gravity as a layer at the outer surface of the cyclone and a stream of fluid with the lowest specific gravity in the centre of the cyclone. The incoming fluids with the highest specific gravity are then directed into a helical path at the outer periphery of the apparatus along which energy is added by means of rotating impeller guide vane passages increasing the rotational velocity of the fluid, and thus the pressure. The incoming fluids with the lowest specific gravity are similarly acted upon by a rotating impeller means, preferably providing for compression of the fluids which will typically comprise gaseous material.
The invention thus provides a pump/compressor unit having an inlet for a multiphase fluid, means for separating the fluid into its components and for pressurising the components by respective impeller means. Preferably the two impeller means are parts of a single impeller assembly.
The impeller assembly can thus provide an interior defining a first flow path along which the gaseous or lower specific gravity fluids are directed along the impeller assembly axis and then transported radially by blades or vanes. The cross-sectional area of the flow path preferably reduces progressively in the flow direction, so as to enhance compression of the fluid. The compressed fluid of the first stream can then be discharged from around the impeller assembly periphery.
Radially adjacent of the first flow path, a second flow path is provided for the higher specific gravity or liquid stream, between the exterior of the assembly and a housing within which the assembly rotates. The second path again effects axial re-direction of the stream, into an annular trough or channel from which the liquid is accelerated by impeller means to an outlet by way of a fluid pick-up or scoop device.
Such a pump/compressor device would be self-regulating, and also self-priming because gas would not have to be drained out before pumping could commence. The device would itself act as a fluid lock, because it would never empty completely, so preventing gas from blowing back
REFERENCES:
patent: 2671406 (1954-03-01), Waller
patent: 3104964 (1963-09-01), Craft
patent: 3435771 (1969-04-01), Riple
patent: 3677659 (1972-07-01), Williams
patent: 3936214 (1976-02-01), Zupanick
patent: 3942961 (1976-03-01), Holliday et al.
Framo Developments (UK) Limited
Larson James
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