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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Fluid Dynamics in Sucker Rod Pumps

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:8365
Sucker rod pumps are installed in approximately 90% of all oil wells in the U.S. Although they have been widely used for decades, there are many issues regarding the fluid dynamics of the pump that have not been filly investigated. A project was conducted at Sandia National Laboratories to develop an improved understanding of the fluid dynamics inside a sucker rod pump. A mathematical flow model was developed to predict pressures in any pump component or an entire pump under single-phase fluid and pumping conditions. Laboratory flow tests were conducted on instrumented individual pump components and on a complete pump to verifi and refine the model. The mathematical model was then converted to a Visual Basic program to allow easy input of fluid, geometry and pump parameters and to generate output plots. Examples of issues affecting pump performance investigated with the model include the effects of viscosity, surface roughness, valve design details, plunger and valve pressure differentials, and pumping rate.
Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL), Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
8365
Report Number(s):
SAND99-0093; ON: DE00008365
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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