Drag Reduction and Efficiency Enhancement in Wide-Range Electric Submersible Centrifugal Pumps via Bio-Inspired Non-Smooth Surfaces: A Combined Numerical and Experimental Study
Source abstract
Abstract
Wide-range electric submersible centrifugal pumps (ESPs) are critical for offshore oilfields but suffer from narrow high-efficiency ranges and frictional losses under dynamic reservoir conditions. This study introduces bio-inspired dimple-type non-smooth surfaces on impeller blades to enhance hydraulic performance. A combined numerical-experimental approach was employed: a 3D CFD model with the k-ω turbulence model analyzed oil–water flow (1:9 ratio) to identify optimal dimple placement, while parametric studies tested diameters (0.6–1.2 mm). Experimental validation used 3D-printed prototypes. Results revealed that dimples on the pressure surface trailing edge reduced boundary layer separation, achieving a 12.98% head gain and 8.55% efficiency improvement at 150 m3/d in simulations, with experimental tests showing an 11.5% head increase and 4.6% efficiency gain at 130 m3/d. The optimal dimple diameter (0.9 mm, 2% of blade chord) balanced performance and manufacturability, demonstrating that bio-inspired surfaces improve ESP efficiency. This work provides practical guidelines for deploying drag reduction technologies in petroleum engineering, with a future focus on wear resistance in abrasive flows.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Cavitation Phenomena in Pumps · Tribology and Lubrication Engineering · Lattice Boltzmann Simulation Studies
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina Company Limited, Beijing 100083, China
Funding
Youth Innovation Project Fund · Research Institute of Petroleum Exploration and Development, PetroChina Company Limited
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