Abstract: Electric submersible pump and other centrifugal pump stages having non-axisymmetric components and passage contours are disclosed. Such a component can be a shrouded impeller having a non-axisymmetric profile for its hub and/or shroud.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. An upthrust washer can be disposed axially between an impeller and its associated diffuser at or near a tip of the impeller, and the gap between the impeller tip and diffuser can define the end play or axial clearance for the pump. If the upthrust washer wears away, upthrust rubbing occurs at the impeller tip instead of proximate the pump shaft to advantageously help protect the shaft from damage or failure related to heat. In some ESPs, an upthrust bearing assembly can be located at the pump head. A downthrust washer can be disposed in an upstream facing groove of the impeller. The downthrust washer can have a thickness greater than 0.10 in.

Abstract: A mixed-flow impeller for an electric submersible pump can include a lower end and an upper end; a hub that includes a through bore that defines an axis; blades that extend at least in part radially outward from the hub where each of the blades includes a leading edge and a trailing edge; an upper balance ring that includes a radially inward facing balance chamber surface and a radially outward facing diffuser clearance surface; and an upper guard ring disposed radially outwardly from the upper balance ring where the upper guard ring includes an axially facing diffuser clearance surface that is disposed axially between the trailing edges of the blades and the upper end.

Abstract: Systems and features for improving sand control in pumps are provided. These features can be used in centrifugal pumps employed in a variety of oilfield applications, such as in electric submersible pumping systems positioned downhole in a wellbore to pump oil or other fluids. Such features include shielded anti-swirl ribs positioned in the balance chamber.

Abstract: Electric submersible pump and other centrifugal pump stages having non-axisymmetric components and passage contours are disclosed. Such a component can be a shrouded impeller having a non-axisymmetric profile for its hub and/or shroud.

Abstract: Anti-rotation bearing assemblies for electric submersible pumps are provided. An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. In use, the motor rotates the shaft, which rotates the impeller within the stationary diffuser. A bearing assembly can include a bearing sleeve disposed about the shaft and a bushing disposed radially between the bearing sleeve and the diffuser. The bearing sleeve rotates with the shaft in operation, and the bushing remains stationary with the diffuser. The bushing can have an external key that is received in a key way or groove in the diffuser to act as an anti-rotation feature. In other variations, the bushing can have an eccentric or oblique profile, which can act as an anti-rotation feature.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump includes a plurality of centrifugal pump stages, each stage including a rotating impeller and a stationary diffuser mounted on a shaft coupled to a motor. An upthrust washer can be disposed axially between an impeller and its associated diffuser at or near a tip of the impeller, and the gap between the impeller tip and diffuser can define the end play or axial clearance for the pump. If the upthrust washer wears away, upthrust rubbing occurs at the impeller tip instead of proximate the pump shaft to advantageously help protect the shaft from damage or failure related to heat. In some ESPs, an upthrust bearing assembly can be located at the pump head. A downthrust washer can be disposed in an upstream facing groove of the impeller. The downthrust washer can have a thickness greater than 0.10 in.

Abstract: Systems and methods facilitate pumping of various fluids such as well fluids. An electric submersible pumping system is constructed with an outer housing that contains an integrated pump and motor. The pump may include an impeller disposed within a stator of the motor. The integration of the pump and the motor enables elimination of various components of traditional electric submersible pumping systems to thus provide a simpler and more compact system for pumping fluids.

Abstract: Systems and features for improving sand control in pumps are provided. These features can be used in centrifugal pumps employed in a variety of oilfield applications, such as in electric submersible pumping systems positioned downhole in a wellbore to pump oil or other fluids. Such features include shielded anti-swirl ribs positioned in the balance chamber.

Abstract: A mixed-flow impeller for an electric submersible pump can include a lower end and an upper end; a hub that includes a through bore that defines an axis; blades that extend at least in part radially outward from the hub where each of the blades includes a leading edge and a trailing edge; an upper balance ring that includes a radially inward facing balance chamber surface and a radially outward facing diffuser clearance surface; and an upper guard ring disposed radially outwardly from the upper balance ring where the upper guard ring includes an axially facing diffuser clearance surface that is disposed axially between the trailing edges of the blades and the upper end.

Abstract: A mixed-flow impeller for an electric submersible pump can include a lower end and an upper end; a hub that includes a through bore that defines an axis; blades that extend at least in part radially outward from the hub where each of the blades includes a leading edge and a trailing edge; an upper balance ring that includes a radially inward facing balance chamber surface and a radially outward facing diffuser clearance surface; and an upper guard ring disposed radially outwardly from the upper balance ring where the upper guard ring includes an axially facing diffuser clearance surface that is disposed axially between the trailing edges of the blades and the upper end.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) can include a shaft; an electric motor configured to rotatably drive the shaft; a housing; a stack of diffusers disposed in the housing; and impellers operatively coupled to the shaft. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mixed-flow impeller for an electric submersible pump can include a lower end and an upper end; a hub that includes a through bore that defines an axis; blades that extend at least in part radially outward from the hub where each of the blades includes a leading edge and a trailing edge; an upper balance ring that includes a radially inward facing balance chamber surface and a radially outward facing diffuser clearance surface; and an upper guard ring disposed radially outwardly from the upper balance ring where the upper guard ring includes an axially facing diffuser clearance surface that is disposed axially between the trailing edges of the blades and the upper end.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump stage with increased compressive load capacity is provided. In an implementation, a centrifugal pump stage includes a diffuser with outside wall capable of supporting increased axial forces. A mating surface of the outer wall can support axial forces generated by a stack of subsequent pump stages across the entire thickness of the outer wall. The diffuser can be a two-piece assembly including a load bearing module and a flow diffusing module. The load bearing module may be a cylinder of strong tubular alloy while the flow diffusing module can be separately cast in a manner that improves hydraulic efficiency. Various means for radially positioning the pump stages relieve the load bearing module from the task of aligning additional pump stages. A single rigid tube may also be used as the load bearing module for multiple pump stages. The tube may be made with a thin wall to increase pump volume.

Abstract: An electric submersible pump (ESP) can include a shaft; an electric motor configured to rotatably drive the shaft; a housing; a stack of diffusers disposed in the housing; and impellers operatively coupled to the shaft. Various other apparatuses, systems, methods, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: A centrifugal pump stage with increased compressive load capacity is provided. In an implementation, a centrifugal pump stage includes a diffuser with outside wall capable of supporting increased axial forces. A mating surface of the outer wall can support axial forces generated by a stack of subsequent pump stages across the entire thickness of the outer wall. The diffuser can be a two-piece assembly including a load bearing module and a flow diffusing module. The load bearing module may be a cylinder of strong tubular alloy while the flow diffusing module can be separately cast in a manner that improves hydraulic efficiency. Various means for radially positioning the pump stages relieve the load bearing module from the task of aligning additional pump stages. A single rigid tube may also be used as the load bearing module for multiple pump stages. The tube may be made with a thin wall to increase pump volume.