Abstract:
A sensing and communication system for a gas lift well is provided. The gas lift well includes a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing. The sensing and communication system includes a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through the turbine, wherein the turbine is positioned one of i) within an annulus defined between the production tubing and the casing and ii) within the gas lift valve, an alternator coupled to the turbine and configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the turbine, and at least one sensor coupled to the alternator and configured to operate using the generated electrical power.
Abstract:
An electrostatic coalescer for coalescing of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase in an emulsion is presented. The electrostatic coalescer includes at least one inlet for receiving the emulsion; at least one outlet for discharging the emulsion after coalescing the dispersed phase; and at least one electrode disposed between the inlet and the outlet, wherein the electrode is configured to receive an AC voltage/current from a power source. The electrostatic coalescer further includes at least one article disposed between the inlet and the outlet, the article includes a plurality of regions disposed on a surface in a predefined pattern, wherein a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially wetting with respect to the dispersed phase, and a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially non-wetting with respect to the dispersed phase.
Abstract:
A method for manufacturing an article configured to enhance the coalescence of a dispersed phase from a continuous phase in an emulsion is presented. The method includes forming a pattern of a plurality of regions on a surface of the article, wherein a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially wetting with respect to the dispersed phase, and a portion of the plurality of regions is substantially non-wetting with respect to the dispersed phase. The pattern further includes a plurality of inter-connected regions that are substantially non-wetting with respect to the dispersed phase.
Abstract:
A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing, a check valve, and a fluid flow barrier. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The main flow passage has an upstream end and a downstream end. The check valve includes a sealing element disposed at the downstream end of the main flow passage, and a valve member configured to sealingly engage the sealing element. The valve member is movable between an open position in which fluid flow is permitted in a downstream direction, and a closed position in which the valve member inhibits fluid flow in an upstream direction. The fluid flow barrier is disposed within the main flow passage, and is configured to direct fluid flow away from the sealing element when the valve member is in the open position.
Abstract:
Some embodiments of the invention are directed to an elliptical sealing system for use with a rotor and a stator housing of a rotary machine. The elliptical sealing system includes a plurality of sealing segments; and an abradable coating having a uniform thickness disposed on each of the plurality of sealing segments, such that the plurality of sealing segments with the abradable coating disposed thereon has a substantially elliptical shape under all conditions when the rotor rotates and the rotor remains stationary. A rotary machine having the elliptical sealing system is also disclosed.
Abstract:
A hydrodynamic face seal ring for use in a rotary machine includes a support ring having at least two support ring segments and a radially-extending, first face. The support ring is configured to releasably couple to an inner surface of an outer casing of the rotary machine. The face seal ring also includes a sealing ring substantially concentric with the support ring. The sealing ring includes at least two sealing ring segments and a radially-extending, second face. The sealing ring is releasably coupled to the support ring such that the first face is mated against the second face.
Abstract:
A hydrodynamic face seal ring for use in a rotary machine includes a support ring having at least two support ring segments and a radially-extending, first face. The support ring is configured to releasably couple to an inner surface of an outer casing of the rotary machine. The face seal ring also includes a sealing ring substantially concentric with the support ring. The sealing ring includes at least two sealing ring segments and a radially-extending, second face. The sealing ring is releasably coupled to the support ring such that the first face is mated against the second face.
Abstract:
A sensing and communication system for a gas lift well is provided. The gas lift well includes a casing, production tubing positioned within the casing, and a gas lift valve coupled to the production tubing. The sensing and communication system includes a turbine configured to rotate in response to an injected gas stream flowing through the turbine, wherein the turbine is positioned one of i) within an annulus defined between the production tubing and the casing and ii) within the gas lift valve, an alternator coupled to the turbine and configured to generate electrical power from rotation of the turbine, and at least one sensor coupled to the alternator and configured to operate using the generated electrical power.
Abstract:
A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing and a check valve. The housing defines an inlet port and an outlet port, and includes an inner casing having a radial outer surface and a radial inner surface at least partially defining a main flow passage. The check valve includes a sealing mechanism disposed around the radial outer surface of the inner casing, and a valve member including an outwardly extending sealing segment. The valve member is moveable between an open position and a closed position in which the sealing segment sealingly engages the sealing mechanism.
Abstract:
A gas lift valve assembly includes a housing, a check valve, and a fluid flow barrier. The housing defines an inlet port, an outlet port, and a main flow passage providing fluid communication between the inlet port and the outlet port. The main flow passage has an upstream end and a downstream end. The check valve includes a sealing element disposed at the downstream end of the main flow passage, and a valve member configured to sealingly engage the sealing element. The valve member is movable between an open position in which fluid flow is permitted in a downstream direction, and a closed position in which the valve member inhibits fluid flow in an upstream direction. The fluid flow barrier is disposed within the main flow passage, and is configured to direct fluid flow away from the sealing element when the valve member is in the open position.