Patent ID: 8393876

Claim:
A multiphase pump separation system for separating multiphase process fluids, the system comprising: a pump comprising: a rotatable shaft having an axial hole; at least one impeller mounted on the shaft and having an axis of rotation; a motor engaged with the shaft for turning the at least one impeller; at least one bearing for supporting the shaft; a pump inlet for accepting incoming multiphase flow; at least one inducer blade rotatable about the axis of rotation, wherein the inducer blade is disposed between the pump inlet and the at least one impeller; an annular region including a portion having an inner diameter defined by a rotating surface on the rotatable shaft and an outer diameter defined by a rotating interior surface of the at least one impeller for separating gas from liquid in the multiphase flow; at least one radial hole in the shaft operatively connecting the annular region and the axial hole of the shaft for directing separated gas to the axial hole; and a pump outlet for discharging liquid from the pump; a fluid separator fluidly connected to the pump; a gas return line in operable connection between the separator and the axial hole of the pump shaft for returning separated gas to the separator; a pump inlet line in operable connection between the separator and the pump inlet for supplying multiphase fluid to the pump; and a pump outlet line for directing discharged liquid away from the pump.