Detection of cavitation or gas lock

Abstract

A system and method to identify a condition of cavitation or gas lock in a pump configured to convey a liquid to a surface from a subsurface environment via tubing are described. The system includes a tool to create a binary event based on the condition, the binary event representing a change in state of a parameter. The system also includes a sensor to detect the binary event based on the parameter, and a processor to process output from the sensor to identify the condition.

1 . A system to identify a condition of cavitation or gas lock in a pump configured to convey a liquid to a surface from a subsurface environment via tubing, the system comprising:
 a tool configured to create a binary event based on the condition, the binary event representing a change in state of a parameter;   a sensor configured to detect the binary event based on the parameter; and   a processor configured to process output from the sensor to identify the condition.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tool is a diverter configured to divert all materials from the tubing. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the diverter diverts the liquid from the tubing when the gas is in the pump, the gas in the pump creating the condition. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the parameter is pressure, and the binary event is the change in the state of the pressure created by the diverter. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the binary event is a switch from positive to negative pressure in the tubing. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the sensor is a pressure valve or a check valve. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor notifies an operator of the condition based on the output from the sensor. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor monitors a frequency or duration of the condition based on the output from the sensor to determine an action. 
     
     
         9 . A method of identifying a condition of cavitation or gas lock in a pump configured to convey a liquid to a surface from a subsurface environment via tubing, the method comprising:
 creating, using a tool in the subsurface environment, a binary event based on the condition, the binary event representing a change in state of a parameter;   detecting, using a sensor, the binary event based on the parameter; and   processing, using a processor, an output from the sensor to identify the condition.   
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the tool is a diverter, and the creating the binary event is based on the diverter diverting all materials from the tubing. 
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 10 , further comprising the diverter diverting the liquid from the tubing when the gas is in the pump, the gas in the pump creating the condition. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 10 , wherein the parameter is pressure, and the detecting the binary event includes detecting the change in the state of the pressure created by the diverter. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the detecting the binary event includes detecting a switch from a positive to a negative pressure in the tubing. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the processing the output from the sensor includes the processor issuing a notification to an operator indicating the condition. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein the processing the output from the sensor includes the processor monitoring a frequency or duration of the condition based on the output from the sensor to determine an action.