| A progressing cavity pump (PCP) is an effective tool used in petroleum production and is used primarily for downhole artificial lift of viscous crude oil. The two main components of a PCP are a helical rotor rotating inside an elastomeric stator, creating a cavity through which production fluids are lifted to the surface. The steel rotor is often exposed to severe abrasive and corrosive environments during operation. Accordingly, Kudu Industries Inc. has developed a wear and corrosion resistant coating process using induction heating to fuse a flame sprayed coating onto the rotor, thereby protecting it during service. During the induction heating process, potentially negative effects on the rotor steel properties need to be recognized.;The purpose of this study was to identify the critical process parameters that affect both the steel metallurgy, as well as any structural transformation occurring in the steel. Process parameters fall into three categories: heating parameters, cooling parameters and operational parameters. Relevant material properties of the steel were examined in the steel and compared with untreated steel in order to metallurgically validate the process.;In commonly used vanadium microalloyed steel, a microstructural phase distribution was observed, with refined, degenerate pearlite and ferrite grains at the core of the material. Tensile and fatigue properties of this structure were found to be slightly inferior to that of the parent metal. However, a large increase in impact and fracture toughness was noted. |
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