Mechanism study and geometric parameter optimization of the vortex downhole tool

In the present study, the mechanism of the vortex downhole tool (VDT) to improve gas well production efficiency is investigated and the optimal geometric parameter combination of VDT is obtained by an orthogonal experiment. Results show that VDT has the potential to reduce the critical gas velocity only when its helix angle is less than 63°, and the theoretical reduction will not exceed 21.5%, compared to the Turner model. Under the action of VDT, the friction factor of the gas-liquid two-phase flow is reduced, as well as the total flow pressure drop. The field testing results show that the proposed structure optimization method of VDT is feasible and the optimal VDT has greatly improved the production conditions of well A. © 2019, Turbomachinery Society of Japan. All rights reserved.