Caisson Two-Phase Emulsion Reducer
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for pumping a fluid containing gas and liquid, the apparatus comprising:
- a caisson having an inlet at an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid and an outlet at an upper end for discharging gas;
a pump within the caisson for pumping liquid from the caisson;
a liquid discharge pipe extending vertically within the caisson, connected to the pump on a lower end and extending upwardly through the caisson; and
at least one separating device connected to and surrounding the discharge pipe for separating gas from liquid prior to reaching the pump.
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Abstract
A seafloor pump assembly is installed within a caisson that has an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid. The pump assembly is enclosed within a shroud that has an upper end that seals around the pump assembly and a lower end that is below the motor and is open. A separating device is connected to an upper end portion of the discharge pipe within the caisson. The separating device causes separation of gas from the flow containing gas and liquid to be enhanced prior to the flow reaching the operating liquid level in the caisson.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An apparatus for pumping a fluid containing gas and liquid, the apparatus comprising:
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a caisson having an inlet at an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid and an outlet at an upper end for discharging gas; a pump within the caisson for pumping liquid from the caisson; a liquid discharge pipe extending vertically within the caisson, connected to the pump on a lower end and extending upwardly through the caisson; and at least one separating device connected to and surrounding the discharge pipe for separating gas from liquid prior to reaching the pump. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for pumping liquid from a subsea caisson having an inlet at an upper end for receiving a flow of fluid containing gas and liquid and an outlet at an upper end for discharging gas, the apparatus comprising:
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an electric submersible pump assembly located in the caisson; a shroud surrounding at least a portion of the pump assembly within the caisson, the shroud having an inlet at a lower end for receiving fluid flowing into the caisson; a discharge pipe extending vertically within the caisson, connected to the pump assembly and extending upwardly through the caisson; and at least one passive separating device connected to and surrounding the discharge pipe above the shroud, the separating device having a body with a substantially conical portion extending outward and downward from the discharge pipe, thereby forming an outer annulus between an inner surface of the caisson and an outer surface of the body allowing fluid to pass downwardly therethrough, the body having an open lower end and an upper end that is larger than an outer diameter of the discharge pipe, defining an inner annulus for gas to flow upwardly in the caisson. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for pumping from a caisson a fluid containing a mixture of liquid and gas flowing into an upper end of the caisson, the method comprising:
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(a) suspending a pump assembly within the caisson on a discharge pipe that extends up the caisson; (b) mounting at least one separating device around the discharge pipe in the caisson above the pump assembly; (c) flowing a fluid containing a mixture of gas and liquid into an upper end of the caisson; (c) separating gas from liquid in the fluid with the separating device as the fluid flows downward in the caisson; (d) allowing the separated gas to flow back upward in the caisson; (e) allowing the separated liquid to flow downward to an inlet of the pump assembly; and (f) pumping the liquid through the discharge pipe with the pump assembly. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification