Chemical Engineering Transactions (Dec 2016)
Numerical Simulation Study on Erosive Wear of ESP
Abstract
Wear of electric submersible pump (ESP) in oilfield was caused by high sand content in the high water-cut stage. RNG k-e turbulence model and discrete phase model are deployed for numerical simulation to study the effect of conditions and structural parameters on the wear of ESP impellers. It is showed that concave side of impeller blades and central area of guide impeller’s inner wall are the most eroded area. Wear rate will increase with the rising of sand concentration rate and pump speed. With the rising of particle size, impeller’s wear rate will increase first then decrease. The average wear rate of impeller will decrease with the increase of inlet angle, while the rise of outlet angle will make it rise and fall. Results of numerical simulation can be applied to designs of ESPs.