Real time blending system via a single pump
AssigneeBrine Masters, LLC
InventorsClay Hildreth, Christopher Robert Thomas, Andrew John Humke
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems and methods for blending fluids are provided. A blended fluid may be obtained by mixing a first fluid from a first fluid source with a second fluid from a second fluid source. The blended fluid may be pumped by a pump arranged downstream of a point at which the first and second fluids are mixed, wherein no other pumps are upstream of the pump. First and second flow control valves that control the flow rate of the first and second fluids, respectively, are adjusted so as to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
Claims17
A blending system for blending fluids, the blending system comprising:
- A first conduit configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source, wherein the first fluid is a brine solution;
- a first flow meter configured to detect a flow rate through the first conduit;
- a first flow control valve configured to control a size of a flow passage to the first conduit through the first flow control valve;
- a second conduit configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source;
- a second flow control valve configured to control a size of a flow passage to the second conduit through the second flow control valve;
- an output conduit;
- a mixer coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit, and the output conduit, wherein the mixer is configured to mix the first fluid with the second fluid to form a blended fluid and provide the blended fluid to the output conduit;
- a variable speed pump located downstream of the mixer, the variable speed pump configured to pump the blended fluid through the output conduit,
- wherein the output conduit is configured to deliver the blended fluid to a tank on a vehicle;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust the first flow control valve, the second flow control valve, and the speed of the variable speed pump to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
A blending system for blending fluids, the blending system comprising:
- a first conduit configured to receive a first fluid from a first fluid source, wherein the first fluid is a brine solution;
- a first flow meter configured to detect a flow rate through the first conduit;
- a first flow control valve configured to control a size of a flow passage to the first conduit through the first flow control valve;
- a second conduit configured to receive a second fluid from a second fluid source;
- a second flow control valve configured to control a size of a flow passage to the second conduit through the second flow control valve;
- an output conduit;
- a mixer coupled to the first conduit, the second conduit, and the output conduit, wherein the mixer is configured to mix the first fluid with the second fluid to form a blended fluid and provide the blended fluid to the output conduit;
- a fixed speed pump located downstream of the mixer, the fixed speed pump configured to pump the blended fluid through the output conduit,
- wherein the output conduit is configured to deliver the blended fluid to a tank on a vehicle;
- and
- a controller configured to adjust the first flow control valve and the second flow control valve to reach a target flow rate of the blended fluid, the blended fluid having a target blend of the first fluid and the second fluid.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.