Gas-lift Pump Research Articles

Experimental Study on the Gas Lift Pump in Lead-Bismuth Eutectic

The experiments about the gas lift pump in lead-bismuth eutectic are performed with risers of three kinds of diameters [{phi}69.3 mm (SD case), {phi}106.3 mm (MD case), {phi}155.2 mm (LD case)]. The main results are as follows: (1) The coefficient of the drift flux model was derived from the experimental results. (2) The LBE flow rate obtained from the design method based on water/gas system with the relation of the drift flux model corresponds to the experimental results obtained in the MD and the SD cases. It is considered that the evaluation method can be used for the LBE gas lift pump in a small diameter riser. (3) In the LD, the design method excessively evaluates the lead-bismuth circulating flow rate. It thought that the circulation head will not occur in the experimental loop. The following factors are considered to be the causes of this: the three-dimensional behavior of bubbles becomes significant, and the local descending flow is generated in the riser when the riser diameter increases. (author)

1934 鉛ビスマス中の気泡ポンプに関する実験的研究

The experiments about the gas lift pump in lead-bismuth eutectic are performed with risers of three kinds of diameters [{phi}69.3 mm (SD case), {phi}106.3 mm (MD case), {phi}155.2 mm (LD case)]. The main results are as follows: (1) The coefficient of the drift flux model was derived from the experimental results. (2) The LBE flow rate obtained from the design method based on water/gas system with the relation of the drift flux model corresponds to the experimental results obtained in the MD and the SD cases. It is considered that the evaluation method can be used for the LBE gas lift pump in a small diameter riser. (3) In the LD, the design method excessively evaluates the lead-bismuth circulating flow rate. It thought that the circulation head will not occur in the experimental loop. The following factors are considered to be the causes of this: the three-dimensional behavior of bubbles becomes significant, and the local descending flow is generated in the riser when the riser diameter increases. (author)

406 電解気泡ポンプの揚水特性に関する研究

406 電解気泡ポンプの揚水特性に関する研究

Design factors in gas-lift advanced dissolution (GLAD) system for CO 2 sequestration into the ocean

A new method for ocean sequestration of low purity CO 2 gas emitted from thermal power plants has been developed. The method utilizes a gas-lift pump system, named gas lift advanced dissolution (GLAD) system, that dissolves the CO 2 (which has been separated from combustion gas) into seawater at a relatively shallow depth of 200– 300 m and then transports CO 2-rich seawater to a depth greater than 1000 m . The CO 2 concentration of seawater after sequestration shall be limited to a certain value (e.g. 3 mol/ m 3 ) so as to minimize the impact on marine life. This paper describes the numerical simulation model of GLAD's two-phase flow with a CO 2 dissolution that was used to determine the optimal specification of the system. This numerical simulation resulted in the following conclusions: 1. The required length for full dissolution in the dissolution pipes is proportional to the diameter of the injection bubble, and increases linearly with the decrease in the purity of CO 2 gas. 2. The allowable injection rate of CO 2 gas, for a marine life, is proportional to the sectional area of dissolution pipe and increases with the increase in impurity (=1−purity) of the CO 2 gas and the diameter of the injection bubble. 3. Analysis of correlations among these factors will enable system optimization on the total cost basis including the costs for CO 2 separation from exhaust gas, transportation of CO 2 gas to the GLAD site and CO 2 sequestration.

122 気泡ポンプ効果を利用した低純度二酸化炭素ガス処理システムの特性(流体機械1)

122 気泡ポンプ効果を利用した低純度二酸化炭素ガス処理システムの特性(流体機械1)

Mass transfer and structure of bubbly flows in a system of CO 2 disposal into the ocean by a gas-lift column

A new method for ocean sequestration of low-purity CO 2 gas emitted from fired power plant is developed. This is a gas-lift pump system, named progressive gas lift advanced dissolution (P-GLAD) system, to dissolve only CO 2 gas of combustion gas in seawater at shallow waters and to transport CO 2-rich seawater to great depths. The system is an inverse-J pipeline set at the ocean at a depth between 200 and 3000 m and a releasing system of indissoluble gas. To improve the efficiency of the P-GLAD, one should elucidate bubbly flows accompanying gas phase dissolution formed in the gas-lift column of the system. In the present paper, first, the authors discuss mass transfer in bubbly flows of pure CO 2 gas and filtrated tap water along the pipe axis in laboratory-scale P-GLAD of 25 mm in diameter and 7.69 m in height. Second, mass transfer in bubbly flows of mixed gas (95% volume of CO 2 and 5% volume of pure air) and filtrated tap water in the same setup is discussed. The mass transfer coefficient of CO 2 in the later system has the values of 3.1×10 −4–8.5×10 −5. It is shown that the mass transfer coefficient is a function of the distance from the gas injection. Finally, the performance of the system is elucidated on the basis of the experimental and numerical investigations. The laboratory-scale P-GLAD dissolved over 98.5% of CO 2 injected in the liquid phase.

Structured packing liquid holdup in cryogenic systems

Experimental results and a theoretical analysis are presented on structured packing liquid holdup under cryogenic conditions. The experimental tests were performed on a novel laboratory unit incorporating a gas lift pump to recirculate the cryogenic liquid in a flow visualization dewar. Holdup is measured by sensing the difference in level in the dewar when the liquid flow is shut off after a constant operation at a given liquid loading. A dimensional analysis is performed to identify the important system properties that affect the liquid holdup. The preliminary experimental data are compared against a correlation developed from the dimensional analysis.

Cold Model Experiments on the Application of Gas Lift Pump to the Transportation of Molten Metal.

Application of a gas lift pump to a molten metal system was evaluated by determining the effects of liquid properties on the pump's transportation characteristics using a water bath, a glycerol solution bath, and a Wood's metal bath. The in the gas lift pipe was in a flow regime when the pump was working. The critical gas rate, which is defined as the lowest gas rate required to transport the liquid, decreased with increase in the submergence and with decrease in pipe diameter in all systems. The density of the liquid strongly affected the lifted liquid volume whereas the viscosity had little influence on it. The empirical equation to predict the transportation of molten metal was derived using the slug model based on the corrected Nicklin's equation. The model was able to reproduce the critical gas retes obtained by the experiment.

Anaerobic tanks for cucumber fermentation and storage

Fermentation in sodium chloride (NaCl) brine by naturally occurring micro-organisms is an established procedure for temporary preservation of cucumbers in open-top tanks. The physical attributes and accessory supporting equipment of an anaerobic, closed-top tanking system with the potential to reduce environmental problems and facilitate the use of new fermentation technology is reviewed and updated. Prototype tanks of 30 to 35 m3 capacity and fibreglass construction having a food-grade liner were selected for introductory stage testing and semi-commercial evaluation. Anaerobic conditions were achieved by sealing the manhole port located at the tank top and purging the brine with nitrogen (N2) gas to remove oxygen. The purging (at rates up to 1·0 m3/h) served to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) generated during fermentation and also operated as a gas lift pump to circulate the cover brine. During fermentation, N2 and CO2 gases were vented from the tank top through a 50 mm diameter vent tube at atmospheric pressure. During storage, anaerobic conditions were maintained by a slight (approximately 250 mm water column) positive pressure of N2 in the headspace above the liquid level; a U-tube manometer served as a means of isolation, a pressure indicator and a safety device against excessive positive or negative tank pressures. Field trials to the system under commercial conditions have demonstrated that anaerobic tanks can alleviate many of the objectional features of open-top tanks. Implications of projected modifications of the system are briefly examined.

Anaerobic tanks for cucumber fermentation and storage

Fermentation in sodium chloride (NaCl) brine by naturally occurring micro-organisms is an established procedure for temporary preservation of cucumbers in open-top tanks. The physical attributes and accessory supporting equipment of an anaerobic, closed-top tanking system with the potential to reduce environmental problems and facilitate the use of new fermentation technology is reviewed and updated. Prototype tanks of 30 to 35 m 3 capacity and fibreglass construction having a food-grade liner were selected for introductory stage testing and semi-commercial evaluation. Anaerobic conditions were achieved by sealing the manhole port located at the tank top and purging the brine with nitrogen (N 2 ) gas to remove oxygen. The purging (at rates up to 1·0 m 3 /h) served to remove carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) generated during fermentation and also operated as a gas lift pump to circulate the cover brine. During fermentation, N 2 and CO 2 gases were vented from the tank top through a 50 mm diameter vent tube at atmospheric pressure. During storage, anaerobic conditions were maintained by a slight (approximately 250 mm water column) positive pressure of N 2 in the headspace above the liquid level; a U-tube manometer served as a means of isolation, a pressure indicator and a safety device against excessive positive or negative tank pressures. Field trials to the system under commercial conditions have demonstrated that anaerobic tanks can alleviate many of the objectional features of open-top tanks. Implications of projected modifications of the system are briefly examined.

High-Pressure Gas Lift for Deep, Sour Production

Summary An innovative high-pressure N2 gas-lift design has been used to return several wells to production in the Jay/Little Escambia Creek (LEC) field of northwest Florida. The N2 was available from a field tertiary injection project and provided the means for the first continuous N2 lift system, and some of the deepest gas-lifted wells in operation. The design accommodates the unique demands of gas-lifting a deep, sour oil well with high water cuts through the operation of a continuous N2 lift system. Because the project design was not limited to conventional artificial lift techniques, a solution was achieved with the resources available. The high-pressure N2 lift enabled wells to return to production that would not have been economically attractive or mechanically feasible with a standard hydrocarbon gas lift or submersible pump design.

The structure of marine fulvic and humic acids

Fulvic and humic acids were isolated from near surface seawater samples obtained at five biologically diverse sites in the Gulf of Mexico in quantities sufficient for detailed NMR and chemical studies. A gas lift pump and a 1500-1 extraction facility provided halfgram quantities of material. The proton NMR spectra of all fulvic and humic acids studied were remarkably similar and differed mainly in the absence of aromaticity in the fulvics. These observations, coupled with published spectra and chemical data, suggest a class structure and general mechanism of formation for marine humic substances. The proposed structures are crosslinked, autoxidized, polyunsaturated fatty acids.

The theory of the gas-lift pump: A rejoinder

The theory of the gas-lift pump: A rejoinder

The theory of the gas-lift pump

The theory of the gas-lift pump