ESP mechanical seal lubrication

摘要

Seal sections for electric submersible pumps. Seal sections are described which include a combination of a barrier fluid to protect a seal from unfavorable ingress and control of differential pressure across the face of the seal.

主权项

1. A seal section for an electric submersible pump having a pump section and a motor section which powers the pump section, the seal section comprising:
an outer housing enclosing a bellows assembly which retains a volume of motor oil; a shaft disposed axially through the outer housing and rotatable within the housing, the shaft transmitting rotational power from the motor section to the pump section; a seal radially surrounding the shaft to retain the motor oil within the bellows assembly; and a barrier fluid reservoir proximate the seal and retaining a barrier fluid that permits motor oil within the bellows assembly to pass the seal but blocks external fluids from passing the seal, the barrier fluid having a density greater than water density.