Fluid end with protected flow passages and kit for same

A kit for enhancing the service life of a fluid end of a reciprocating pump used in the recovery of oil and natural gas trapped in shale rock formations, said fluid end with at least one fluid cylinder including:

• a body having a first bore which includes a reciprocating plunger;
• a second bore which includes a suction valve;
• and a third bore which includes a discharge valve, said first bore being generally perpendicular to both said second and third bores which are in flow communication with each other, an outlet of said second bore and an inlet of said third bore defining a chamber in alignment with said first bore that receives said reciprocating plunger for drawing fracking fluid into said chamber at low pressure and discharging said fracking fluid at high pressure, said kit comprising:
• a first tubular sleeve adapted to be received in a first portion of said first bore, the outer surface of said first tubular sleeve configured to be in direct contact with the surface of said first bore that surrounds said first tubular sleeve;
• a second tubular sleeve adapted to be received in a second portion of said first bore adjacent a terminal portion of said first bore, said second tubular sleeve configured to be being in direct contact with the surface of the terminal portion of the first bore surrounding said second tubular sleeve;
• a tubular cartridge adapted to be received in said second and third bores, the outer surface of said cartridge being configured to be in direct contact with the inner surface of said second and third bores, said tubular cartridge having an aperture for accommodating the movement of said plunger in and out of said chamber;
• said sleeve and cartridge when installed in said fluid body cooperating to protect the fluid end body portions surrounding the outer surfaces of said sleeve and cartridge from impingement by high pressure fracking fluid passing through said fluid end to provide said fluid end with enhanced erosion and corrosion resistance as well as improved fatigue properties and with extended service life.

A fluid end of a reciprocating pump for delivery of a fracking fluid at high pressure into a well to extract and recover oil and natural gas trapped in shale rock formations, said fluid end having at least one fluid cylinder assembly comprising:

• a chamber formed therein;
• a first bore in communication with said chamber, said first bore including a reciprocating plunger for effecting pressurization in said chamber to draw fracking fluid therein at low pressure and to discharge said fracking fluid at high pressure therefrom;
• a second bore formed in said fluid end in communication with said chamber, said second bore including a suction valve for receiving tracking fluid at low pressure;
• a third bore formed in said fluid end in communication with said chamber, said third bore including a discharge valve for release of high pressure fracturing fluid through an outlet in said fluid end;
• a tubular sleeve received in said first bore and extending through said chamber, the outer surface of said tubular sleeve being in direct contact with the inner surface of said first bore surrounding said tubular sleeve;
• first and second flow passage apertures in said tubular sleeve in alignment with said second and third bores;
• a discharge outlet of said suction valve in contact with the surrounding edge of said second aperture;
• an inlet of said discharge valve in contact with the surrounding edge of said second aperture;
• said sleeve being configured to protect the fluid end body portions surrounding said sleeve from direct impingement thereon by high pressure fracking fluid passing therethrough;
• thereby providing said fluid end with enhanced erosion and corrosion resistance as well as improved fatigue properties and extended service life.

A kit for enhancing the service life of a fluid end of a reciprocating pump used in the recovery of oil and natural gas trapped in shale rock formations, said fluid end with at least one fluid cylinder including:

• a body having a first bore which includes a reciprocating plunger;
• a second bore which includes a suction valve;
• and a third bore which includes a discharge valve, said first bore being generally perpendicular to both said second and third bores which are in flow communication with each other, an outlet of said second bore and an inlet of said third bore defining a chamber with said first bore that receives said reciprocating plunger for drawing fracking fluid into said chamber at low pressure and discharging said fracking fluid at high pressure,
• said kit comprising:
• a tubular sleeve adapted to be received in said first bore and configured to extend through said chamber, the outer surface of said tubular sleeve configured to be in direct contact with the inner surface of said first bore that surrounds said first tubular sleeve;
• first and second flow passage apertures in said tubular sleeve being configured to be in alignment with said second and third bores when said tubular sleeve is installed in said first bore;
• the surrounding edge of said first flow passage aperture being configured to be in contact with a discharge outlet of the suction valve;
• the surrounding edge of said second flow passage aperture being configured to be in contact with an inlet of said discharge valve;
• said sleeve when installed in said fluid body being configured to protect the fluid end body portions surrounding the outer surfaces of said sleeve from impingement by high pressure tracking fluid passing through said fluid end to thereby provide said fluid end with enhanced erosion and corrosion resistance as well as improved fatigue properties and with extended service life.