Multi-well computerized control of fluid pumping

• US 6,048,175 A
• Filed: 09/24/1998
• Issued: 04/11/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Edward A. Corlew, Henry B. Steen III, John W. Smith
• Original Assignee: Edward A. Corlew, Henry B. Steen III, John W. Smith
• Inventors: Smith, John W., Steen, Henry B. III, Corlew, Edward A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Freay, Charles G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TYLER, CHERYL JACKSON
• Application Number:
  US09/160,615
• Time in Patent Office: 565 Days
• Field of Search: 417/120, 417/139, 417/141, 417/142, 417/143
• US Class Current: 417/120
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/121 Lifting well fluids monitoring of down-hole pump systems E21B47/008
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 43/34 Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 47/008 Monitoring of down-hole pump systems, e.g. for the detection of "pumped-off" conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 1/08 specially adapted for raising liquids from great depths, e.g. in wells
• CPC Class Codes: F04F 1/20 specially adapted for raising liquids from great depths, e.g. in wells

Abstract

A system for controlling one or more borehole pumps to enable pumping-on-demand is described. The system uses a computerized controller which, in combination with sensors, monitors and controls the activity of the pump, thereby controlling fluid in the borehole. The system is continually in one of three modes, the monitoring mode, the pump mode, and the recovery mode. Within each cycle of modes, the system performs multiple checks on the apparatus involved. The data obtained during the check is stored in appropriate databases as well as checked against predetermined norms. In the event of a malfunction within the apparatus, or other supervised and/or monitored functions, the system can activate a notification system, such as a centralized monitoring facility. A pump is disclosed with a fluid sensor to detect the presence of fluid and transmit this presence to the computerized monitoring system. A slug sensor notifies the computer of the beginning and end of a predetermined quantity of fluid. An exterior housing with a lightning protector can be placed over the borehole to contain the monitoring computer and associated read outs. At least one shunt valve is affixed along the propellant and return lines inline to accommodate accumulation of fluid. A receiver/separator tank has a separator member to separate the gas from the fluid.

Claims

1. A pump for removing fluid from boreholes based on the fluid achieving a predetermined level, said pump having:

a. an elongated pump housing, said elongated pump housing having an interior, an exterior, a first end and a second end;

b. an inlet chamber, said inlet chamber being adjacent said second end of said pump housing, said inlet chamber having multiple fluid inlets to permit fluid to enter said inlet chamber;

c. a valve system, said valve system extending from said second end of said pump housing into said inlet chamber, said valve system enabling one way fluid flow between said pump housing and said inlet chamber to enable said fluid to flow from said inlet chamber into said pump housing during a filling mode and preventing said fluid from exiting said pump chamber during a pumping mode;

d. a propellant line, said propellant line having an outlet entering said housing proximate said first end and a compressor connected to an inlet of said propellant line to send propellant into said propellant line;

e. a fluid return line, a first end of said fluid return line extending into said pump housing through said housing first end and a second end extending into a fluid storage area;

f. a fluid sensor, said fluid sensor detecting the presence of fluid within said pump chamber,

wherein fluid enters said inlet chamber and is forced by hydrostatic pressure into said pump housing, said fluid rising until said fluid sensor activates said propellant, said propellant forcing said fluid through said fluid return line into said storage area.

2. The pump of claim 1 wherein said inlet chamber is removably affixed to said exterior of said second end of said elongated chamber.

3. The pump of claim 1 wherein said interior of said second end of said housing is U-shaped, said valve entering said housing at the base of said U-shaped interior of said housing.

4. The pump of claim 1 wherein said valve system extends into said second end of said pump housing.

5. The pump of claim 4 wherein said interior of said second end of said housing is U-shaped, said U-shape curving from said interior'"'"'s wall to said valve system extending into said housing.

6. The pump of claim 1 wherein said valve system comprises spaced, parallel walls having at least two inline valve seats within said walls, each if said inline valve seats having a open port to enable fluid flow and a check ball, said check ball permitting fluid flow into said pump housing and preventing fluid flow out of said housing.

7. The pump of claim 1 wherein said fluid sensor is a wye sensor having two capillary tubes, a first end of said tubes being affixed to said wye sensor and a second end of a first tube being connected to a pressure source and a second end of said second tube being connected to a port of a differential pressure transducer.

8. The pump of claim 7 wherein said fluid sensor is programmed to recognize the presence of said fluid and the absence of said fluid.

9. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a slug sensor, said slug sensor being in sensing proximity with said fluid return line to detect the beginning and end of a predetermined quantity of fluid.

10. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a slug sensor, said slug sensor being in sensing proximity with said fluid storage area to detect the beginning and end of a predetermined quantity of fluid.

11. The pump of claim 1 further comprising a receiver/separator tank, said receiver separator tank separating said fluid from gas contained within said fluid.

12. The pump of claim 1 further comprising at least one monitoring system, said monitoring system having a program to read, store and evaluate data obtained from said level sensor and said slug sensor, and activation and deactivation data of said compressor, wherein said system adapts a secondary program to activate and deactivate said compressor based on said sensor data in accordance with preset variables.

13. The pump of claim 12 further comprising an exterior housing, said exterior housing being placed over said borehole and containing said monitoring system and read outs derived from said sensor data and said monitoring system.

14. The pump of claim 13 further comprising input means, said input means enabling a user to change at least one of said variables within said program.

15. The pump of claim 12 further comprising a lightning protector, said lightning protector comprising a ground electrode adjacent an electric service riser, a first ground wire, said first ground wire being affixed at a first end to said electrode and at a second end to said exterior housing;

a second ground wire, said second ground wire being affixed at a first end to said exterior housing and at a second end to said monitoring computer and a faraday shield.

16. The pump of claim 1 wherein said multiple fluid inlets are along said inlet chamber'"'"'s periphery proximate said housing.

17. The pump of claim 1 wherein said multiple fluid inlets are along said inlet chamber'"'"'s periphery opposite said housing.

18. A pump system for removing fluid from boreholes based on the fluid achieving a predetermined level, said pump system having:

a pump, said pump having;

a. an elongated pump housing, said elongated pump housing having an interior, an exterior, a first end and a second end;

b. an inlet chamber, said inlet chamber being adjacent said second end of said pump housing, said inlet chamber having multiple fluid inlets to permit fluid to enter said inlet chamber;

c. a valve system, said valve system extending from said second end of said pump housing into said inlet chamber, said valve system comprising spaced, parallel walls having at least two inline valve seats within said walls, each of said inline valve seats having a open port to enable fluid flow and a check ball, said check ball enabling one way fluid communication between said pump housing and said inlet chamber to enable said fluid to flow from said inlet chamber into said pump housing during a filling mode and preventing said fluid from exiting said pump chamber during a pumping mode;

d. a propellant line, said propellant line having an outlet entering said housing proximate said first end and a compressor connected to an inlet of said propellant line to send propellant into said propellant line;

e. a fluid return line, a first end of said fluid return line extending into said pump housing through said housing first end and second end extending into a fluid storage area;

f. a fluid sensor, said fluid sensor recognizing the presence of said fluid and the absence of said fluid;

g. a slug sensor, said slug sensor being in sensing proximity with said fluid return line to detect the beginning and end of a predetermined quantity of fluid along said fluid return line,

a receiver/separator tank, said receiver separator tank separating said fluid from gas contained within said fluid,

at least one monitoring system, said monitoring system having a program to read, store and evaluate data obtained from said level sensor and said slug sensor, and activation and deactivation data of said compressor, wherein said system adapts a back up program to activate and deactivate said compressor based on said sensor data in accordance with preset variables,

an exterior housing, said exterior housing being placed over said borehole and containing said monitoring system and displaying read outs derived from said sensor data and said monitoring system and having input means, said input means enabling a user to change at least one of said variables within said program,

a lightning protector, said lightning protector comprising a ground electrode adjacent an electric service riser, a first ground wire, said first ground wire being affixed at a first end to said electrode and at a second end to said exterior housing, a second ground wire, said second ground wire being affixed at a first end to said exterior housing and at a second end to said monitoring computer and a faraday shield,

wherein fluid enters said inlet chamber and is forced by hydrostatic pressure into said pump housing, said fluid rising until said fluid sensor activates said propellant, said propellant forcing said fluid through said fluid return line into said receiver/separator tank to separate said fluid from said gas, said fluid flowing from said receiver/separator tank into said storage area.

19. A shunt valve system for use in lines connected to a pump within a borehole, said shunt valve system being placed inline with, and providing fluid contact between, a propellant supply line leading into said pump and a fluid return line leading out of said pump, said valve having:

a. a valve body, said valve body having a recessed receiving area, an input end and an output end,

b. a propellant line channel, said propellant channel being inline with said propellant supply line,

c. a fluid return line channel, said fluid return line channel being inline with said fluid return line,

d. a connection passage within said recessed receiving area fluidly connecting said propellant line channel and said fluid return line channel,

e. a powered cylinder extending into said body adjacent said recessed receiving area and having an input connector and an output connector,

f. a compressor hose, said compressor hose having a first end and a second end, said first end being affixed to a compressor and said second end being affixed to said power cylinder input connector, said compressor maintaining a preprogrammed level of pressure, through said hose,

g. a valve plate, said valve plate being moveably connected to said valve body and affixed to said powered cylinder, movement of said valve plate enabling or restricting fluid flow through said connection passage,

h. a cylinder activation member activating movement of said cylinder in response to borehole pressure,

wherein when borehole pressure created by rising fluid within said borehole is greater than said preprogrammed pressure from said compressor, said cylinder activation member activates said cylinder causing said valve plate to move to enable fluid within said propellant line to pass from said propellant line to said fluid return line until pressure within said borehole is less than said preprogrammed pressure, thereby enabling said cylinder to return said valve plate port out of alignment with said passage to block said fluid entry into said passage.