LUBRICATION SYSTEM FOR SUBSEA COMPRESSOR
First Claim
1. A compression system, comprising:
- a compressor;
a process fluid source containing a process fluid;
a lubricant source;
a process fluid pump;
a lubricant inlet line fluidly connecting the lubricant source to the compressor and the process fluid pump, wherein the lubricant inlet line provides a usable lubricant to the compressor and the process fluid pump from the lubricant source;
a separation device fluidly connected with the lubricant source, the process fluid source, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a portion of the usable lubricant mixes with the process fluid, and the process fluid is separated such that a gaseous portion of the process fluid is channeled to the compressor and a liquid portion of the process fluid is channeled to the process fluid pump;
a lubricant recycling line fluidly connected to the lubricant inlet line, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a used lubricant is discharged from the compressor and the process fluid pump into the lubricant recycling line, and the lubricant recycling line provides a recycled lubricant to the lubricant inlet line;
a lubricant filter fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant filter filters the used lubricant;
a lubricant pump fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant pump pumps the used lubricant through the lubricant recycling line; and
a lubricant cooler fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant cooler cools the used lubricant.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A compression apparatus including a motor, a lubricant source, an umbilical, a compressor, a separation device, and a lubricant recycling assembly. The lubricant source provides a lubricant. The umbilical is fluidly connected to the lubricant source. The compressor is operatively connected to the motor, fluidly connected to the umbilical, and includes a compressor lubricant outlet and a compressor lubricant inlet that is fluidly connected to the umbilical. The separation device is fluidly connected to the compressor, and the lubricant source, and a well including a process fluid, wherein the separation device separates the process fluid into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, and a portion of the lubricant mixes with the process fluid. The lubricant recycling assembly includes a dirty side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant outlet, a clean side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet, a lubricant filter, and a lubricant pump.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A compression system, comprising:
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a compressor; a process fluid source containing a process fluid; a lubricant source; a process fluid pump; a lubricant inlet line fluidly connecting the lubricant source to the compressor and the process fluid pump, wherein the lubricant inlet line provides a usable lubricant to the compressor and the process fluid pump from the lubricant source; a separation device fluidly connected with the lubricant source, the process fluid source, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a portion of the usable lubricant mixes with the process fluid, and the process fluid is separated such that a gaseous portion of the process fluid is channeled to the compressor and a liquid portion of the process fluid is channeled to the process fluid pump; a lubricant recycling line fluidly connected to the lubricant inlet line, the compressor, and the process fluid pump, wherein a used lubricant is discharged from the compressor and the process fluid pump into the lubricant recycling line, and the lubricant recycling line provides a recycled lubricant to the lubricant inlet line; a lubricant filter fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant filter filters the used lubricant; a lubricant pump fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant pump pumps the used lubricant through the lubricant recycling line; and a lubricant cooler fluidly connected to the lubricant recycling line, wherein the lubricant cooler cools the used lubricant. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A compression apparatus, comprising:
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a motor; a lubricant source providing a lubricant; an umbilical fluidly connected to the lubricant source; a compressor operatively connected to the motor, fluidly connected to the umbilical, and including a compressor lubricant outlet and a compressor lubricant inlet that is fluidly connected to the umbilical; a separation device fluidly connected to the compressor, the lubricant source, and a well including a process fluid, wherein the separation device separates the process fluid into a liquid portion and a gaseous portion, and a portion of the lubricant mixes with the process fluid; and a lubricant recycling assembly comprising; a dirty side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant outlet; a clean side fluidly connected to the compressor lubricant inlet; a lubricant filter interposed between the clean side and the dirty side; and a lubricant pump interposed between the clean side and the dirty side. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of lubricating a compression system, comprising:
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supplying a compressor with a usable lubricant from a remote source; mixing at least a portion of the usable lubricant with a process fluid in a separation device to form a mixture; separating the mixture into a gaseous portion and a liquid portion in the separation device; channeling the gaseous portion to the compressor; channeling the liquid portion to a process fluid pump; discharging a used lubricant from the compressor and the process fluid pump; recycling the used lubricant to form a recycled lubricant, wherein recycling the used lubricant comprises filtering the used lubricant; and channeling the recycled lubricant to the compressor. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification