Introduction

A Red Jacket pump is a type of electric submersible pump (ESP) widely used in the oil and gas industry to lift fluids such as crude oil, water, and gas mixtures from deep wells. Known for their durability and efficiency, these pumps are named after their distinctive red epoxy-coated motor housings, which provide corrosion resistance in harsh downhole environments.

Red Jacket pumps are manufactured by Franklin Electric, a leading company in fluid pumping systems. They are designed to operate in high-pressure, high-temperature conditions, making them ideal for oil production, water injection, and other industrial applications.

This article explores the design, working principle, components, applications, and advantages of Red Jacket pumps.

---

1. Design and Construction of Red Jacket Pumps

Red Jacket pumps are multi-stage centrifugal pumps, meaning they use multiple impeller and diffuser stages to increase fluid pressure progressively. Their robust construction ensures long-term reliability in challenging well conditions.

Key Features of Red Jacket Pumps:

• Red Epoxy Coating – Protects the motor from corrosion caused by well fluids.
• High-Efficiency Motor – Typically a three-phase induction motor designed for submersible operation.
• Multi-Stage Pumping – Each stage consists of an impeller and diffuser, boosting fluid pressure incrementally.
• Sealed Motor Section – Prevents fluid ingress while allowing pressure equalization.
• Heavy-Duty Materials – Stainless steel and abrasion-resistant alloys enhance durability.

---

2. Main Components of a Red Jacket Pump

A complete Red Jacket pump system consists of several critical components:

A. Submersible Motor

• Provides power to drive the pump.
• Filled with dielectric oil for insulation and cooling.
• Designed to operate underwater at high temperatures (up to 300°F / 150°C).

B. Protector (Seal Section)

• Acts as a barrier between the motor and well fluids.
• Absorbs axial thrust from the pump to prevent motor damage.
• Allows pressure equalization to prevent oil leakage.

C. Pump Section

• Contains multiple centrifugal stages (impellers and diffusers).
• Each stage increases fluid pressure as it moves upward.
• The number of stages depends on well depth and required lift capacity.

D. Intake Screen

• Filters out sand, debris, and solid particles to prevent clogging.
• Located at the pump’s base where fluid enters.

E. Power Cable

• Supplies electricity to the motor.
• Insulated to withstand high temperatures and pressures.

F. Discharge Head

• The outlet where pressurized fluid exits into the production tubing.

---

3. How Does a Red Jacket Pump Work?

Step 1: Fluid Entry

• Well fluids (oil, water, gas) enter through the intake screen, which filters out large particles.

Step 2: Centrifugal Pumping Action

• The motor rotates the impellers, creating centrifugal force that accelerates the fluid outward.
• The diffuser converts kinetic energy into pressure energy, increasing fluid pressure with each stage.

Step 3: Pressure Build-Up

• Multiple stages progressively boost pressure until the fluid reaches the discharge head.
• Deeper wells require more stages to generate sufficient lift.

Step 4: Fluid Discharge

• Pressurized fluid exits through the discharge head and flows up the production tubing to the surface.

Step 5: Motor Cooling & Protection

• The motor is cooled by surrounding well fluid.
• The protector section prevents fluid contamination of the motor.

---

4. Applications of Red Jacket Pumps

Red Jacket pumps are used in various industries, including:

A. Oil & Gas Production

• Lifting crude oil from deep wells.
• Handling high-gas-content fluids.

B. Water Injection Systems

• Used in secondary oil recovery to inject water into reservoirs.

C. Industrial Fluid Transfer

• Pumping chemicals, wastewater, and other industrial fluids.

D. Geothermal Wells

• Handling high-temperature fluids in geothermal energy extraction.

---

5. Advantages of Red Jacket Pumps

• High Efficiency – Multi-stage design maximizes fluid lift capacity.
• Corrosion Resistance – Red epoxy coating protects against harsh well conditions.
• Long Service Life – Durable materials reduce wear and maintenance.
• Adaptability – Works in high-temperature, high-pressure, and high-sand environments.
• Low Maintenance – Sealed motor design minimizes downtime.

---

6. Conclusion

Red Jacket pumps are essential in the oil and gas industry due to their reliability, efficiency, and durability. Their multi-stage centrifugal design allows them to handle deep well conditions, while the red epoxy coating ensures long-term corrosion resistance.

Whether used in oil production, water injection, or industrial applications, Red Jacket pumps remain a trusted solution for fluid transfer in demanding environments.

By understanding their design, operation, and benefits, engineers and operators can optimize their performance in various well conditions.