New Design and Optimization of a Jet Pump to Boost Heavy Oil Production

In the Oil and Gas industry, installing pipe loops is a well-known hydraulic practice to increase oil pipeline capacities. Nevertheless, could promote an unfavorable phenomenon known as fouling. That means that in heavy oil-water mixture gathering system with low flow velocities, stratified pattern will appear. consequence, due high viscosity, stick on pipe, causing reduction of effective diameter, reducing handled fluids production, increasing energy consumption. As jet pumps total flow, fluid homogenous water, this type pump result attractive compared other multiphase systems reactivating crude transport lines. Jet are highly reliable, robust equipment modest maintenance, ideal for many applications, mainly gas industry. their design method performance analysis rarely literature keep experimental component similar most pumping equipment. This paper proposes numerical study optimization booster installed conventional loop system. First, traditionally designed pump, combining CFD simulation algorithms using commercials software (ANSYS CFX® PIPEIT® tool), has been carried out. allowed evaluating effect multiple geometrical operational variables influence global run more than 400 geometries automatically reduced time frame. The optimized offers substantial improvement over original concerning capacity (+17%), energy, distribution. Then, three plugin configurations trunkline was analyzed. Simulations were out different driving pressures against traditional loop’s performance. Optimum connection increases production by 30%. Finally, new eccentric geometry proposed improve exit velocities pressure fields. best analyzed same conditions concentric one. An 2% achieved consistently observed uniform velocity field at pump. A better distribution between main line obtained, handling around half complete each.