Experimental Investigation on Transient Pressure Characteristics in a Helico-Axial Multiphase Pump

Abstract

In oil and gas exploitation, the multiphase pump is a vital piece of equipment to guarantee production with high efficiency and stable operation. The complicated pattern of multiphase flow in the multiphase pump affects the pump performance; for this reason, the multiphase performance and the inner flow should be sufficiently investigated. In the present work, a liquid-gas multiphase pump is designed and manufactured, and then tested in a specialized test rig to reveal the transient pressure characteristics of the multiphase pump. Results show that the dominant frequency under water and water-air conditions is the blade passing frequency, which is induced by the rotor stator interaction. In the downstream of the impeller, the pressure fluctuation is obviously weakened, because the splitter-blade design could improve the control ability of flow pattern in the downstream region. In comparison with water condition, the pressure fluctuation of water-air condition greatly increases, and the multiples of impeller rotating frequency are stimulated due to the movement and merging of air bubbles. Finally, the correlation of transient pressure and phase distribution in impeller is revealed by using a high-speed camera. With the gradual pressure rise from impeller inlet to outlet, the relative movement and separation of two phases induce violent pressure fluctuations.