Recirculating gas separator for electric submersible
This patent describes a gas separator apparatus for a submersible well pump. It comprises: a rotary gas separator means; and recirculating means for recirculating a portion of the liquid discharged from the discharge outlet back to the separating chamber so that a gas-to-liquid ratio in the separator means is substantially lower than a gas-to-liquid ratio of well fluid entering the well fluid inlet wherein the recirculating means. This patent also describes a method of pumping liquid from a well producing well fluids having a relatively high gas-to-liquid ratio. It comprises: centrifugally separating the well fluid into a liquid and a gas with a separator located downhole in the well; directing the separated liquid toward an inlet of a submersible well pump; recycling a portion of the separated liquid to the separator; and providing an effective gas-to-liquid ratio in the separator substantially lower than a gas-to-liquid ratio of the well fluid prior to separation.
- Assignee:
- Conoco Inc., Ponca City, OK (USA)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4981175; A
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-462667
- OSTI ID:
- 6127113
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 9 Jan 1990
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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