Self-lubricating ceramic downhole bearings

Abstract

A multiphase pumping system comprising an electric submersible pumping system. To accommodate the multiphase environment, the electric submersible pumping system utilizes self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings. In one embodiment, the bearings are made from graphite impregnated silicon carbide.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A multiphase pumping system, comprising: 
 a rotary pumping system having self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings.    
     
     
         2 . The multiphase pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings comprise graphite impregnated silicon carbide.  
     
     
         3 . The multiphase pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings are radial journal bearings.  
     
     
         4 . The multiphase pumping system of  claim 1 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings are selected from thrust bearings, tilt pad bearings, lobed bearings, lemon bore bearings, and pressure dam bearings.  
     
     
         5 . A self-lubricating, abrasion resistant bearing adapted for downhole multiphase pumping systems, comprising: 
 a graphite impregnated silicon carbide material.    
     
     
         6 . The bearing of  claim 5 , wherein the bearing is adapted for use in a downhole centrifugal pump.  
     
     
         7 . The bearing of  claim 5 , wherein the bearing is adapted for use in a downhole multistage pump.  
     
     
         8 . The bearing of  claim 5 , wherein the bearing is adapted for use in a downhole motor protector.  
     
     
         9 . The bearing of  claim 5 , wherein the bearing is a radial journal bearing.  
     
     
         10 . The bearing of  claim 5 , wherein the bearing is selected from thrust bearings, tilt pad bearings, lobed bearings, lemon bore bearings, and pressure dam bearings.  
     
     
         11 . A multiphase downhole pump, comprising: 
 an electrical submersible pump having self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings.    
     
     
         12 . The multiphase downhole pump of  claim 11 , wherein the electrical submersible pump is a multistage pump.  
     
     
         13 . The multiphase downhole pump of  claim 11 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings comprise a graphite impregnated silicon carbide material.  
     
     
         14 . The multiphase downhole pump of  claim 11 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings are radial journal bearings.  
     
     
         15 . The multiphase downhole pump of  claim 11 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings selected from thrust bearings, tilt pad bearings, lobed bearings, lemon bore bearings, and pressure dam bearings.  
     
     
         16 . A downhole motor protector for use in a multiphase electrical submersible pumping system, comprising: 
 self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings.    
     
     
         17 . The downhole motor protector of  claim 16 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings comprise a graphite impregnated silicon carbide material.  
     
     
         18 . The downhole motor protector of  claim 16 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings are radial journal bearings.  
     
     
         19 . The downhole motor protector of  claim 16 , wherein the self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings selected from thrust bearings, tilt pad bearings, lobed bearings, lemon bore bearings, and pressure dam bearings.  
     
     
         20 . A method of protecting bearings in a multiphase environment, comprising: 
 providing self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings comprising graphite impregnated silicon carbide.    
     
     
         21 . A multiphase submersible pumping system, comprising: 
 a submersible motor;    a submersible pump powered by the motor; and    a motor protector;    wherein the bearings of the submersible pump and the motor protector are self-lubricating, abrasion resistant ceramic bearings.    
     
     
         22 . The multiphase submersible pumping system of  claim 21 , wherein the bearings are graphite impregnated silicon carbide bearings.