Tribopairs in Wellbore Drilling: A Study of PCD Tilting Pad Bearings in an Electric Submersible Pump

Author

Cameron B. Ellis, Brigham Young UniversityFollow

Abstract

A polycrystalline diamond was tested as a bearing material for a tilting pad thrust bearing to be used in an electric submersible pump, which elevates process fluids from the bottom of well bores. The goal of this study was to compare the PCD to a current best of technology, which is stainless steel with an engineering polymer.This study found that PCD can handle larger loads than current technology but is limited in size due to diamond sintering and manufacturing constraints. The maximum size is Ø75mm.

Degree

MS

College and Department

Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Technology

BYU ScholarsArchive Citation

Ellis, Cameron B., "Tribopairs in Wellbore Drilling: A Study of PCD Tilting Pad Bearings in an Electric Submersible Pump" (2017). Theses and Dissertations. 7284.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/7284

Date Submitted

2017-12-01

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd9652

Keywords

Cameron Ellis, tilting pad bearing, PCD, electric submersible pump, ESP, polycrystalline diamond, PCD/PCD tribopair, PCD/SiC tribopair

Language

english