Method and system for mobile distribution station

#Hydraulic fracturing (also known as fracking) is a well-stimulation process that utilizes pressurized liquids to fracture rock formations. Pumps and other equipment used for hydraulic fracturing typically operate at the surface of the well site. The equipment may operate until refueling is needed, at which time the equipment may be shut-down for refueling. Shut-downs are costly and reduce efficiency. More preferably, to avoid shut-downs fuel is replenished in a hot-refueling operation while the equipment continues to run. This permits fracking operations to proceed continuously. However, hot-refueling can be difficult to reliably sustain for the duration of the fracking operation.

#A system according to an example of the present disclosure includes at least one mobile fuel distribution station that has a mobile trailer, a pump, a manifold, a plurality of hoses, a plurality of detachably connectable fuel caps connected or connectable with the hoses, a plurality of valves, and a plurality of fuel level sensors. The mobile fuel distribution station is configured to operate the pump responsive to a low fuel threshold to provide fuel to the manifold, from the manifold to the valves, and from the valves through the hoses. At least one server is operable to communicate with at least one mobile fuel distribution station. The server is configured to receive fuel operating parameter data from the mobile fuel distribution station, determine whether the fuel operating parameter data is within a preset limit, and send a control action in response to the operating parameter data being outside the preset limit.

#In a further embodiment of any of the foregoing embodiments, the fuel operating parameter data represents a change in a fuel operating parameter from a prior reading to a current reading.

#The various features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example mobile distribution station.

#FIG. 2 illustrates an internal layout of a mobile distribution station.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile distribution station 20 and FIG. 2 illustrates an internal layout of the station 20. As will be described, the station 20 may serve in a “hot-refueling” capacity to distribute fuel to multiple pieces of equipment while the equipment is running, such as fracking equipment at a well site. As will be appreciated, the station 20 is not limited to applications for fracking or for delivering fuel. The examples herein may be presented with respect to fuel delivery, but the station 20 may be used in mobile delivery of other fluids, in other gas/petroleum recovery operations, or in other operations where mobile refueling or fluid delivery will be of benefit.

#In this example, the station 20 includes a mobile trailer 22. Generally, the mobile trailer 22 is elongated and has first and second opposed trailer side walls W1 and W2 that join first and second opposed trailer end walls E1 and E2. Most typically, the trailer 22 will also have a closed top (not shown). The mobile trailer 22 may have wheels that permit the mobile trailer 22 to be moved by a vehicle from site to site to service different hot-refueling operations. In this example, the mobile trailer 22 has two compartments. A first compartment 24 includes the physical components for distributing fuel, such as diesel fuel, and a second compartment 26 serves as an isolated control room for managing and monitoring fuel distribution. The compartments 24/26 are separated by an inside wall 28a that has an inside door 28b.

#The first compartment 24 includes one or more pumps 30. Fuel may be provided to the one or more pumps 30 from an external fuel source, such as a tanker truck on the site. On the trailer 22, the one or more pumps 30 are fluidly connected via a fuel line 32 with a high precision register 34 for metering fuel. The fuel line 32 may include, but is not limited to, hard piping. In this example, the fuel line 32 includes a filtration and air eliminator system 36a and one or more sensors 36b. Although optional, the system 36a is beneficial in many implementations, to remove foreign particles and air from the fuel prior to delivery to the equipment. The one or more sensors 36b may include a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a combination thereof, which assist in fuel distribution management.