Abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies

Abstract

Enhanced abrasion resistance in well fluid wetted assemblies is described. The bearing set of the invention provides an enhanced abrasion resistance that is better capable of withstanding friction from solids in electric submersible pump (ESP) well production applications. The flutes, grooves, sectors and intersections of the invention provide improved fluid and solid flow through assembly components, which improves cooling while the assembly is in operation and reduces body wear, thereby increasing the lifespan of the ESP system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for enhancing the abrasion resistance of submersible assemblies, the system comprising:
 a submersible pump for pumping a fluid hydrocarbon from a well, the submersible pump further comprising:
 a stationary member of a bearing set, wherein the stationary member comprises an axial flute and a radial flute, and wherein the axial flute and the radial flute intersect; and 
   wherein the axial flute and the radial flute are configured to reduce abrasion from a well-born-solid on the bearing set.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the axial flute is slanted. 
     
     
         3 . A system for pumping a hydrocarbon from a downhole well, the system comprising:
 a submersible pump assembly component, the submersible pump assembly component further comprising:
 a stationary member of a bearing set, wherein the stationary member comprises an axial flute and a radial flute, and wherein the axial flute intersects the radial flute at an intersection; and 
   wherein the axial flute, the radial flute and the intersection are configured to guide a pumped fluid through the flutes.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the submersible pump assembly component is an electric submersible pump intake. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the submersible pump assembly component is a gas separator. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the submersible pump assembly component is a diffuser. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the submersible pump assembly component is a submersible pump. 
     
     
         8 . A method of enhancing the abrasion resistance of submersible assemblies, the method comprising:
 Pumping a fluid from an underground formation to a surface location, wherein a pump assembly component comprises an axial flute and a radial flute, and wherein the axial flute and the radial flute intersect.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pump assembly component is a stationary member of a bearing set located in an ESP pump. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pump assembly component is a stationary member of a bearing set located in an ESP intake. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pump assembly component is the stationary member of a bearing set located in an ESP gas separator.