Ultrasonic treatment of mined sand proppant for hydraulic fracture treatment in the oil/gas industry and cleaned quartz source for the glass industry
OwnerMichael Lee Fraiminventor
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Abstract
A process for the ultrasonic treatment of mined sand proppant for hydraulic fracture treatment, the process comprising the steps of pumping sand particles in an aqueous fluid to an ultrasonic device operating at a suitable frequency and a suitable power range. The sand particles remain at a proximity to the ultrasonic device for a first predetermined period of time to remove contaminants from the sand particles.
Claims20
A process for the ultrasonic treatment of mined sand proppant for hydraulic fracture treatment, the process comprising the steps of:
- pumping sand particles in an aqueous fluid to an ultrasonic device operating at a suitable frequency and a suitable power range, the sand particles remaining at a proximity to the ultrasonic device for a first predetermined period of time to remove contaminants from the sand particles.
A process for the ultrasonic treatment of mined sand proppant for hydraulic fracture treatment, the process comprising the steps of:
- pumping sand particles in an aqueous fluid through or around an ultrasonic device having a frequency between 8-20 kHz, the ultrasonic device having a power range between 10-150 watts per cubic centimeter, the sand particles remaining at a sufficient proximity to the ultrasonic device for a first predetermined period of time to remove non-quartz, non-alumina, or non-silica material from the sand particles to produce pure sand particles;
- transferring the pure sand particles at 5-20% by volume through a second ultrasonic device having a frequency between 20-40 kHz, the second ultrasonic device having a power range between 10-200 watts per cubic centimeter, the pure sand particles remaining at a sufficient proximity to the ultrasonic device for a second predetermined period of time to peen, polish, and smooth the surfaces of the pure sand particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.