Run Life Enlargement Methodology for Ball-and-Seat Check Valves Used in Artificial Lift Pumping Units

摘要

Experiments are performed to evaluate the leakage vs.rnpressure drop, wear and fluid properties, in ball-and-seatrnvalves used in pumping units for artificial oil production. Therntest facility is constructed to evaluate the operation of severalrnvalve sizes, using water, oil and air, subjected to pressurerndrops up to 5000 psig. Results demonstrated that the currentlyrnaccepted API vacuum test might be too severe and that morernrealistic tests may lead to substantial savings in valvernreplacements. Experimental results in dimensional andrndimensionless form are presented, using a new similituderncriterion.