Theoretical and experimental investigation of pressure generation within twin-screw pump for multiphase transport

Capable of handling continuous gas volumes of over 98% and 100% slugging, the twin screw multiphase pump provides both the onshore and offshore production fields a more efficient solution compared to conventional artificial lift technology. An analytical model of fluid flow and pressurization in the twin-screw multiphase pump is presented. It is based on the conventional conservation equations of mass and energy for a control volume of trapped fluid with allowance for internal back-flow. In order to verify the mathematical model, performance data of a prototype multiphase pump were measured and the P-V diagram was recorded. From the comparison of the simulation result and experimental data, the model is capable of describing the working process in twin-screw multiphase pump.