US 12,378,966 B2
Two-phase liquid-gas flow system for testing electrical submersible pumps
Luai M. Alhems, Dhahran (SA); Syed M. Shaahid, Dhahran (SA); and Aftab Ahmad, Dhahran (SA)
Assigned to KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, Dhahran (SA)
Filed by KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, Dhahran (SA)
Filed on Sep. 7, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/939,565.
Prior Publication US 2024/0077081 A1, Mar. 7, 2024
Int. Cl. F04D 15/00 (2006.01); G01F 1/74 (2006.01); G01F 25/10 (2022.01); E21B 43/12 (2006.01); F04D 13/10 (2006.01)
CPC F04D 15/0088 (2013.01) [F04D 15/0005 (2013.01); G01F 1/74 (2013.01); G01F 25/10 (2022.01); E21B 43/128 (2013.01); F04D 13/10 (2013.01); F05D 2270/8041 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A multi-phase liquid-gas flow system for testing electrical submersible pumps (ESP), comprising:
an oil pump;
a water pump;
a turbine type oil flow meter (OFM);
a turbine type water flow meter (WFM);
a temperature sensor;
a pressure sensor;
an oil-air-water separator tank;
an oil storage tank;
a water storage tank;
a pressurized air system;
an air pressure regulator (PR); and
a transparent test section and a test pump section, wherein the test pump section comprises a pipe and an ESP test pump disposed inside the pipe;
wherein the pressurized air system comprises:
at least four air storage tanks (AT);
at least three compressors each of the compressors having a dryer (COMP+DRYER); and
at least three air flow meters (AFM);
wherein the oil storage tank is in fluid communication with the oil pump by a first valve, the oil pump is configured to pump oil from the oil storage tank through the OFM to the transparent test section by a second valve and a third valve;
the water storage tank is in fluid communication with the water pump by a fourth valve, the water pump is configured to pump water through the WFM to the transparent test section by a fifth valve and a sixth valve;
the air storage tanks are in fluid communication with the PR by a first plurality of valves configured to channel air through the PR and the AFMs to the transparent test section by a second plurality of valves;
an air stream from the AT is sent to the transparent test section by a seventh valve and an eight valve;
a camera to capture photos and videos of flow patterns in the transparent test section, wherein the camera is mounted on a rack mounted to the transparent test section and in longitudinal alignment with the transparent test section; and
the ESP is mounted axially with a longitudinal axis of the transparent test section, and the test pump section is mounted downstream of the transparent test section; and
the ESP has an intake and discharge at least one of which is axially aligned with the transparent test section.