Photometer/nephelometer device and method of using to determine proppant concentration
AssigneePraxair Technology, Inc.
InventorWilliam J. Scharmach
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system that provides for the measurement and control of proppant concentration in a liquefied gas fluid stream utilizing a non-nuclear optical detection device such as a near-infrared (NIR), visible (Vis), and ultraviolet (UV) photometer/nephelometer to be used in the fracture treatment of subterranean hydrocarbon formations.
Claims16
A feedback control method for adjusting the proppant concentration in a fracturing fluid that is utilized in stimulation of an underground formation, comprising:
- supplying proppant or proppant slurry from proppant reservoir to a fluid stream;
- combining the proppant or proppant slurry with the fluid forming a fracturing fluid containing proppant and measuring the concentration of the proppant in said fracturing fluid downstream by a concentration meter, wherein the concentration meter is a photometer/nephelometer device utilizing optical light;
- providing a feedback signal to a computer;
- and
- changing the concentration of the fracturing fluid based on the feedback signal of the concentration meter.
A feedback control method for adjusting the proppant concentration in a fracturing fluid that is utilized in stimulation of an underground formation, comprising:
- supplying proppant or proppant slurry from a sealed, pressurized proppant reservoir to a motive fluid stream wherein the pressurized proppant reservoir is in a position to supply the proppant slurry to at least one eductor;
- supplying a motive fluid flow of liquefied gas at pressure between about 150 to 400 psig to the at least one eductor,
- wherein the liquefied gas is mixed with proppant or proppant slurry to form a fracturing fluid containing proppant and measuring a concentration of the proppant in said fracturing fluid downstream by a photometer/nephelometer device;
- providing a signal to a computer from the photometer/nephelometer device;
- changing the concentration of the fracturing fluid based on the reading of the photometer/nephelometer device by sending a signal from the computer to route a pressurized fluid to the proppant reservoir thereby manipulating the pressure in said proppant reservoir or by sending a signal to a control valve disposed between the eductor and the proppant reservoir, and control the proppant concentration from about 0.1 to 10 lbs/gal of proppant in the fracturing fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.