J.N. McCoy & Dieter Becker, Echometer Company, O. Lynn Rowlan, Amerada Hess, & Dr A.L. Podio, University of Texas
The RotaFlex pumping unit has a unique geometry that results in a constant torque arm (or torque factor)on most of the upstroke and downstroke. The geometry promotes high electrical efficiencies. Electrical efficiency can be measured by comparing the work required to raise the produced liquids from the net liquid level depth to the input electrical power. Also, electrical generation with the RotaFlex pumping unit is minimized compared to conventional beam pump units, which is favorable for high electrical efficiencies. RotaFlex balancing can be performed using electrical power measurements, and the amount of counterweight that must be added or removed from the counterweight box to balance the unit can becalculated directly by software using the power measurements and RotaFlex data. Power balancing does not require knowledge of the weight of the counterweight box and the auxiliary weights as is required with conventional mechanical balancing. An example of determining the electrical efficiency and of balancing a RotaFlex unit is given to further describe and explain the procedure for determining electrical efficiency and proper balance.