Instrumented fracturing slurry flow system and method

A system for monitoring a hydraulic fracturing operation, comprising:

• a pump arranged a well site where hydraulic fracturing is to be performed, the pump being fluidly coupled to a slurry supply at a suction end and to discharge piping at a discharge end;
• a first sensor arranged at at least one of the suction end or the discharge end, the first sensor to provide data indicative of a flow rate of the slurry;
• a second sensor arranged on the pump or a component associated with the system to measure one or more operating parameters of the pump;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the pump, the first sensor, and the second sensor, wherein the controller adjusts the one or more operating parameters based at least in part on information received from the first sensor and the second sensor.

A method for adjusting operation of a pump, comprising:

• receiving first data indicative of a flow rate;
• determining a first operating condition of the pump based, at least in part, on the flow rate;
• comparing the first operating condition to a first damage threshold, the first damage threshold corresponding to a damage indication for the pump;
• determining the first operating condition exceeds the damage threshold;
• adjusting, based at least in part on the determination that the operating condition exceeds the damage threshold, a first operating parameter of a set of operating parameters;
• receiving second data indicative of at least one operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
• determining a second operating condition based, at least in part, on the second data;
• comparing the second operating condition to a second damage threshold, the second damage threshold corresponding to the damage indication for the pump;
• determining the second operating condition exceeds the second damage threshold;
• identifying an adjustable operating parameter of the set of operating parameters;
• and
• adjusting the adjustable operating parameter.