Multiphase pump

Abstract

A multiphase pump includes a master cylinder having a first port adjacent to a first end of the master cylinder, and a second port adjacent to a second end of the master cylinder connected to a source of hydraulic fluid. A master piston is positioned within the master cylinder. A slave cylinder is adjacent to each of the first and second ends of the master cylinder. Each slave cylinder has a first input port and a first output port adjacent to a first end of each slave cylinder, and a second input port and a second output port adjacent to a second end of each slave cylinder. Each first input port and second input port is adapted to connect to a source of gas to be compressed. A slave piston is positioned within each slave cylinder and is connected to the master cylinder such that movement of the master piston results in movement of each slave piston.

1 . A multiphase pump, comprising:
 a master cylinder having a first port adjacent to a first end of the master cylinder, and a second port adjacent to a second end of the master cylinder, each of the first port and the second port being connected to a source of hydraulic fluid;   a master piston positioned within the master cylinder;   a slave cylinder adjacent to each of the first end of the master cylinder and the second end of the master cylinder, each slave cylinder having a first input port and a first output port adjacent to a first end of each slave cylinder, and a second input port and a second output port adjacent to a second end of each slave cylinder, each first input port and second input port being adapted to connect to a source of gas to be compressed; and   a slave piston positioned within each slave cylinder, each slave piston being connected to the master cylinder such that movement of the master piston results in movement of each slave piston.   
   
   
       2 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the master cylinder is less than the diameter of the slave cylinders. 
   
   
       3 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the master cylinder is greater than the diameter of the slave cylinders. 
   
   
       4 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein one cycle of the master piston results in four compression strokes. 
   
   
       5 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein each of the input ports and the output ports are one-way valves. 
   
   
       6 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein each first input port and second input port is adapted to connect to a natural gas-producing well. 
   
   
       7 . The multiphase pump of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the first outputs and the second outputs are adapted to connect to a natural gas storage tank or a natural gas pipeline. 
   
   
       8 . The multiphase pump of  claim 7 , wherein the source of hydraulic fluid is driven by the power source for the natural gas-producing well. 
   
   
       9 . A multiphase pump, comprising:
 a master cylinder having a first port adjacent to a first end of the master cylinder, and a second port adjacent to a second end of the master cylinder, each of the first port and the second port being connected to a source of hydraulic fluid;   a master piston positioned within the master cylinder, the position of the master cylinder being controlled by the source of hydraulic fluid;   a slave cylinder adjacent to each of the first end of the master cylinder and the second end of the master cylinder, the diameter of each slave cylinder being greater than the diameter of the master cylinder, each slave cylinder having a first input port and a first output port adjacent to a first end of each slave cylinder, and a second input port and a second output port adjacent to a second end of each slave cylinder, each first input port, second input port, first output port and second output port being one-way valves, each first input port and second input port being adapted to connect to a natural gas-producing well, each first output port and each second output port being adapted to connect to a natural gas storage tank or a natural gas pipeline; and   a slave piston positioned within each slave cylinder, each slave piston being connected to the master cylinder such that movement of the master piston results in movement of each slave piston, and such that one cycle of the master piston results in four compression strokes.