This work experimentally investigates the behavior of an intermittent multiphase liquid/gas flow that takes place upstream of an electrical submersible pump (ESP). On the basis of the results and associated interpretation, a flow-homogenizer device was designed, built, and tested. Classical ESPs, which, in essence, are composed of a series of radial/centrifugal impeller/diffuser pairs, are not tailored to work in scenarios with high gas-void-fraction (GVF) values. The apparatus was assembled to avoid the development of intermittent flow.
Introduction
In the oil industry, multiphase flow occurs during the production and transport of oil and gas at wells and in the lines that connect wells to platforms. During well production, the flow from the reservoir to the production platform undergoes depressurization.
