Effects of Viscosity and Two Phase Liquid–Gas Fluids on the Performance of Multi-Stage Centrifugal Pumps

The paper reports on developmental research on the effects of viscosity and two phases, liquid–gas fluids on ESPs which are multi stage centrifugal pumps for deep bore holes. The test facility work was performed using pumps with ten or more stages moving fluids with viscosity from 2 to 2500 cP at various speed, intake pressure and Gas Void Fractions (GVF). For safety considerations the injected gas was restricted to nitrogen or air. The results are a series of curves representing the performance degradation of the pump. Note that in some cases the pump performances actually improved with increasing viscosity. The resulting information will allow a better understanding and more accurate prediction of performance than has been previously available. The data indicates a significant difference in performance correction when compared to the information available from the Hydraulics Institute.