Fluid flow hydrodynamic modeling in the passage of an oil artificial lift pumping unit

Abstract

The study of the two-phase flow through the standing and traveling valves used in an oil artificial-lift pumping unit is presented. The investigation aimed to determine the effects the gaseous phase may cause on the pump volumetric efficiency. Data obtained on a specially designed test facility is presented and analyzed as a first step before developing a semi-empirical model to predict the performance of the pump under two-phase flow conditions. Preliminary results, based on one-phase and two-phase runs, demonstrate important features introduced on the pump performance once the gas-phase is included in the process