Rubber Bearings for Down-Hole Pumps Page: 1 of 11
This report is part of the collection entitled: Office of Scientific & Technical Information Technical Reports and was provided to UNT Digital Library by the UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GRANT NUMBER DE-FG07-981D13654
GEOTHERMAL POWER INITIATIVE/GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT-
RUBBER BEARINGS FOR DOWN-HOLE PUMPS
Final Technical Report
Bob Sullivan Mammoth Pacific, L.P.
1. Synopsis of Project Activity1998
1s, Qtr 1999
2nd Qtr 1999
3rd Qtr 1999
4 Qtr 1999
1 s Qtr 2000
2"d Qtr 2000
3rd Qtr 2001
2002-2003
2003-2005Awarded cost share grant from DOE
Developed fail safe lubricating system
Performed first large scale test with nitrile based bearings. It failed due to material
swelling. Failure was blamed on improper tolerance.
Material tests were performed with autoclaves and exposure tests to Casa Diablo
fluids. Testing of Viton materials began. Alternate bearing designs were
developed to limit risk of improper tolerances.
Site testing indicated a chemical attack on the bearing material caused the test
failure and not improper bearing tolerance.
The assistance of Brookhaven National Laboratory was obtained in evaluating the
chemical attack. The National Laboratory also began more elaborate laboratory
testing on bearing materials.
Testing indicated Viton was an inappropriate material due to degradation in Casa
Diablo fluid. Testing of EPDM began.
EPDM bearings were installed for another large scale test. Bearings failed again
due to swelling. Further testing indicated that larger then expected oil
concentrations existed in lubricating water geothermal fluid causing bearing
failure.
Searched for and tested several materials that would survive in hot salt and oil
solutions. Kalrez, Viton ETP 500 and Viton GF were identified as possible
candidates.
Kalrez has shown superior resistance to downhole conditions at Casa Diablo
from among the various materials tested. Viton ETP-500 indicated a life
expectancy of 13 years and because it is significantly less expensive then Kalrez
, it was selected as the bearing material for future testing. Unfortunately during
the laboratory testing period Dupont Chemical chose to stop manufacturing this
specific formulation and replaced it with Viton ETP 600S. The material is
available with six different fillers; three based on zinc oxide and three based on
silicon oxide. Samples of all six materials have been obtained and are being tested
at the National Laboratory in Brookhaven, New York. This new material's
properties as a bearing material and its ability to adhere to a bearings shell must
be reviewed, but cost information deemed the material to be too expensive to be
economical.9/7/2005
1 of 11
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This report can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Report.
Sullivan, Bob. Rubber Bearings for Down-Hole Pumps, report, September 7, 2005; United States. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc879806/m1/1/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.