US 2015/0083400 A1 · SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CHANGING PROPPANT CONCENTRATION

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods utilizing multiple parallel pumps to deliver a mixture of the proppant and clean fluid via a manifold trailer. One method of providing a step-change in proppant concentration includes selecting a first flow rate for a first pump connected between a first input node and first output node, calculating a first transit time for a flow of a fluid at the first flow rate through a first flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the first pump, and to the first outlet node, and calculating a second flow rate for a second pump connected between the first input node and the first output node such that a second transit time for a flow of the fluid through a second flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the second pump, and to the first outlet node is equal to the first transit time.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method of providing a step-change in proppant concentration, the method comprising:

selecting a first flow rate for a first pump connected between a first input node and first output node;
calculating a first transit time for a flow of a fluid at the first flow rate through a first flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the first pump, and to the first outlet node;
and
calculating a second flow rate for a second pump connected between the first input node and the first output node such that a second transit time for a flow of the fluid through a second flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the second pump, and to the first outlet node is equal to the first transit time.

1 more element

A multi-pump manifold, comprising:

a first pump fluidly coupled between a first inlet node and a first outlet node;
a first flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the first pump, and to the first outlet node;
a second pump fluidly coupled between the first inlet node and the first outlet node;
a second flow path extending from the first inlet node, through the second pump, and to the first outlet node that does not pass through any portion of the first flow path;
a third pump fluidly coupled between a second inlet node and a second outlet node;
a third flow path extending from the second inlet node, through the first inlet node, through the first pump, through the first outlet node, and to the second outlet node;
and
a fourth flow path extending from the second inlet node, through the third pump, and to the second outlet node that does not pass through any portion of the first, second, or third flow paths.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

System and method for changing proppant concentration

Life of this patent

System and method for changing proppant concentration

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20