Electrical Submersible Pumps (ESP) are multi-stage centrifugal pumps used in the petroleum industry. Due to the high efficiency and adaptability, ESPs are widely employed in offshore oil wells. Viscous fluid pumping can result in degradation of ESP performance. Improving the efficiency and maintaining the performance of ESPs are of great significance to efficient oil production.
The effects of viscosity on ESP performance is identified and studied thoroughly. The flow field inside the pump channels is explored by post processing software. A dimensionless analysis is performed to evaluate the pump performance changes under different test conditions. Shaft power, hydraulic power and drag power are discussed and calculated using dimensionless numbers.
