Multi-phase pump system and method of pumping a two-phase fluid stream
US9879663B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 2013 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 24, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T137/86131
- WIPO fieldEngines, pumps, turbines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A multi-phase pump system and method that directs incoming two-phase flow into a fixed cylinder that contains a vortical flow. The system includes a momentum-driven, vortex phase separator, the phase separator accepting liquid-gas flows at any ratio from all liquid to all gas. The pump system also includes a liquid prime mover; a gas prime mover; and a control system. The vortical flow is driven by injecting the two-phase or another fluid stream tangent or approximately tangent to the curved surface of the cylindrical chamber. Inertial forces generated within the vortical flow drive a buoyancy-driven separation process within the cylindrical chamber. Single-phase prime movers are then used to pump the separated phases to a higher pressure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.