| The objectives of this study are to develop a simple and accurate theoretical model and to implement the model into a computational tool to predict Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) head performance under two-phase flow conditions.; A new two-phase model including a set of one-dimensional mass and momentum balance equations was developed. The derived gas-liquid momentum equations along pump channels has improved Sachdeva (1992, 1994)'s model in petroleum industry and generalized Minemura (1998)'s model in nuclear industry. The resulting pressure ODE for frictionless incompressible single-phase flow is consistent with the pump Euler equation. In the two-phase momentum equations, new models for wall frictional losses for each phase, through using gas-liquid stratified assumption and existing correlations for impeller rotating effect, channel curvature effect, and channel cross section effect, have been proposed. New equations for radius of curvature along ESP channels, used in the curvature effect calculation, have been derived. A new shock loss model incorporating rotational speeds has been developed. A new correlation for drag coefficient and interfacial characteristic length effects has been obtained through fitting the model results with experimental data. An algorithm to solve the model equations has been developed and implemented. The model predicts pressure and void fraction distributions along impellers and diffusers and can also be used to predict the pump head performance curve under different fluid properties, pump intake conditions, and rotational speeds.; The new two-phase model is validated with air-water experimental data. Results show the model provides a very good prediction for pump head performance under different gas flow rates, liquid flow rates, and different intake pressures. The new model is capable of predicting surging and gas lock conditions. |
