Multi-rig hydraulic fracturing system and method for optimizing operation thereof
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsYanchai Zhang, Maurice Dust
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydraulic fracturing system comprises a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs. Each hydraulic fracturing rig includes an engine, a transmission, and a hydraulic fracturing pump. A driveshaft is coupled between the transmission and the hydraulic fracturing pump to transfer torque from the engine to the hydraulic fracturing pump. The hydraulic fracturing system also includes a fuel consumption data for each hydraulic fracturing rig, and a controller. The controller is programmed to receive a total pump flow and pressure request, and identify a pump flow distribution for each hydraulic fracturing rig of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs based on the total pump flow and pressure request and the fuel consumption data.
Claims20
A hydraulic fracturing system, comprising:
- a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs,
- wherein a hydraulic fracturing rig, of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs, includes:
- an engine,
- a transmission,
- a hydraulic fracturing pump, and
- a driveshaft coupled between the transmission and the hydraulic fracturing pump to transfer torque from the engine to the hydraulic fracturing pump;
- a memory configured to store fuel consumption data for the hydraulic fracturing rig;
- and
- a controller programmed to:
- receive a total pump flow and pressure request;
- identify a pump flow distribution for the hydraulic fracturing rig based on the total pump flow and pressure request, the fuel consumption data, component durability data, and one or more weight factors associated with fuel economy and component durability;
- and
- provide information regarding the pump flow distribution to the hydraulic fracturing rig,
- wherein the information regarding the pump flow distribution is utilized to control the hydraulic fracturing rig.
A method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system including a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs, the method comprising:
- transferring torque from an engine to a hydraulic fracturing pump using a transmission and a driveshaft at a hydraulic fracturing rig of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs;
- receiving, by a controller, a total pump flow and pressure request;
- identifying, by the controller, a pump flow distribution for the hydraulic fracturing rig based on the total pump flow and pressure request, fuel consumption data, component durability data, and one or more weight factors associated with fuel economy and component durability;
- and
- providing, by the controller, information regarding the pump flow distribution to the hydraulic fracturing rig,
- wherein the information regarding the pump flow distribution is utilized to control the hydraulic fracturing rig.
A control system for a hydraulic fracturing system including a plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs, the control system comprising:
- a memory;
- and
- a controller programmed to:
- receive a total pump flow and pressure request;
- identify a pump flow distribution for a hydraulic fracturing rig of the plurality of hydraulic fracturing rigs based on the total pump flow and pressure request, fuel consumption data, component durability data, and one or more weight factors associated with fuel economy and component durability;
- and
- provide information regarding the pump flow distribution to the hydraulic fracturing rig,
- wherein the information regarding the pump flow distribution is utilized to control the hydraulic fracturing rig.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.