High flow intake system for submersible pumps
A high flow intake system for a horizontal pump skid installation is provided for reducing cavitation and for eliminating a necessity to have a booster pump. A pump inlet assembly has a collar that is affixed to a horizontal pump body proximate a pump intake. The pump inlet assembly has a plurality, e.g., four, inlet members that protrude from the collar member at an angle, preferably, 30 degrees, from a longitudinal axis of the pump body. Each of a plurality of hoses is connected to one of the plurality of inlet members. A distribution manifold has an inlet and a plurality of outlets that receive the second ends of the hoses. Preferably, each of the hoses has a length that is at least 20 times an inner diameter so that fluid passing through each of the hoses develops laminar flow.
1. A high flow horizontal pump skid system comprising:
a distribution manifold having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;
a pump inlet assembly having a collar member that defines a single outlet and plurality of inlet members that receive fluid from said plurality of outlets of said distribution manifold;
a plurality of passages for connecting each of said plurality of outlets to one of said plurality of inlet members, said passages having a length sufficient to develop laminar flow of fluid flowing therein;
a horizontal pump body affixed to said pump inlet assembly for receiving fluid from said outlet of said collar member;
wherein said inlet of said distribution manifold is oriented approximately parallel to said horizontal pump body; and
wherein said plurality of outlets of said distribution manifold is oriented approximately parallel to said horizontal pump body.
2. The high flow pump skid system according to claim 1 wherein:
said plurality of inlet members comprise four inlet members.
3. The high flow pump skid system according to claim 1 wherein:
said plurality of inlet members protrude from said collar member at an angle from a longitudinal axis of said pump body.
4. The high flow pump skid system according to claim 3 wherein:
said angle is between approximately 25° and 45°.
5. The high flow pump skid system according to claim 4 wherein:
said angle is approximately 30°.
6. The high flow pump skid system according to claim 1 wherein:
each of said plurality of passages has a length and an inner diameter; and
said length is at least 20 times said inner diameter so that fluid passing through each of said plurality of passages develops laminar flow.
7. A well comprising:
a distribution manifold having an inlet and a plurality of outlets;
a pump inlet assembly having a collar member that defines a single outlet and plurality of inlet members that receive fluid from said plurality of outlets of said distribution manifold;
a plurality of passages for connecting each of said plurality of outlets to one of said plurality of inlet members, said passages having a length sufficient to develop laminar flow of fluid flowing therein;
a surface mounted horizontal pump body having a longitudinal axis, an intake and an outlet, said intake for receiving fluid from said outlet of said collar member;
an outlet line affixed to said outlet of said horizontal pump body;
a wellhead above a wellbore, said wellhead affixed to said outlet line;
wherein said inlet of said distribution manifold is oriented approximately parallel to said horizontal pump body; and
wherein said plurality of outlets of said distribution manifold is oriented approximately parallel to said horizontal pump body.
8. The well according to claim 7 wherein:
said plurality of inlet members comprise four inlet members.
9. The well according to claim 7 wherein:
said plurality of inlet members protrude from said collar member at an angle from said longitudinal axis of said pump body.
10. The well according to claim 9 wherein:
said angle is between approximately 25° and 45°.
11. The well according to claim 10 wherein:
said angle is approximately 30°.
12. The well according to claim 7 wherein:
each of said plurality of passages has a length and an inner diameter; and
said length is at least 20 times said inner diameter so that fluid passing through each of said plurality of passages develops laminar flow.