Fuel mixing devices and methods of use
AssigneeGlobal Engineering Solutions Limited
InventorShayne LOWRIE
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fuel mixer includes a first compartment, a second compartment, a third compartment, a plurality of cooling tubes, and at least one flow pipe. The second compartment is in fluid communication with the first compartment and is at least partially above the first compartment. The third compartment is in fluid communication with the first compartment and is at least partially above the first compartment. The plurality of cooling tubes are disposed in the second compartment and extend between the first compartment and the third compartment, thereby allowing fuel to flow from the first compartment to the third compartment. The at least one flow pipe is disposed in the second compartment and has an open top end, thereby allowing fuel to flow from the second compartment to the first compartment.
Claims19
A fuel mixer, comprising:
- a first compartment;
- a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment, the second compartment at least partially above the first compartment;
- a third compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment, the third compartment at least partially above the first compartment;
- a plurality of cooling tubes disposed in the second compartment and extending between the first compartment and the third compartment, thereby allowing fuel to flow from the first compartment to the third compartment;
- and
- at least one flow pipe disposed in the second compartment and having an open top end, thereby allowing fuel to flow from the second compartment to the first compartment.
A refueling system, comprising:
- a fuel source supplying fuel at a source temperature;
- a fuel mixer, the fuel mixer comprising:
- a first compartment fluidly coupled to an engine of a piece of fracking equipment supplying fuel at a return temperature to the fuel mixer, the return temperature greater than the source temperature;
- a second compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment and fluidly coupled to the fuel source;
- a third compartment in fluid communication with the first compartment;
- and
- cooling tubes disposed in the second compartment and extending between the first compartment and the third compartment;
- wherein, during operation, fuel from the fuel source at least partially fills the second compartment and flows from the second compartment to the first compartment to mix with the fuel from the engine such that fuel in the first compartment is at a mixed temperature that is intermediate the source and return temperatures;
- and
- wherein the fuel from the first compartment flows through the cooling tubes to the third compartment and is further cooled such that the fuel in the third compartment is at a cooled temperature that is lower than the mixed temperature.
A method of refueling fracking equipment, comprising:
- introducing a first fuel received from an engine of the fracking equipment to a first compartment of a fuel mixer, the first fuel at a return temperature;
- filling, at least partially, a second compartment of the fuel mixer with a second fuel received from a fuel source, the second fuel at a source temperature lower than the return temperature;
- mixing the first fuel and the second fuel in the first compartment;
- passing the mixed fuel through a plurality of cooling tubes disposed in the second compartment;
- and
- delivering the mixed fuel to the engine of the fracking equipment via a third compartment of the fuel mixer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.