US 4,239,396 A · Method and apparatus for blending liquids and solids

Abstract

A high capacity blender has been devised which is adaptable for use in achieving the proper blend of liquid-to-liquid or liquid-to-solid constituents making up a gel composition for use in fracturing oil and gas well formations in which a high speed impeller is mounted for rotation concentrically within an outer casing and has a solids inlet which is isolated from the liquid inlet. A series of liquid inlet apertures are disposed in outer concentric surrounding relation to the impeller, and impeller vanes within the impellers are operative to impart a centrifugal force to solids introduced therein whereby to direct the solids and materials radially and outwardly under considerable force into the liquid stream which is directed axially along the inner wall of a mixing chamber. A preselected amount of the blended materials may be recirculated through the impeller inlet, and varying amounts of the solids in proportion to the liquid may be introduced through the impeller region while assuring intimate mixing with the liquid stream in a single stage for introduction under the desired pressure for pumping into the well.

Claims19

Dependent claims

The method for continuously intermixing solid particulate material with a liquid comprising the steps of:

axially directing a liquid stream through a liquid conduit in outer concentric relation to a solids inlet conduit;
and
axially directing solid particulate material through the inner solids conduit and discharging the solid particulate material from the solids conduit into the inlet of an impeller zone which is isolated from the liquid stream, and radially directing the solids through the impeller zone under a centrifugal force sufficient to intercept the liquid flowing through the inlet conduit and become intimately intermixed with the liquid stream for discharge of the solid materials under liquid suspension through a common discharge outlet.

A vehicle-mounted blender apparatus adapted for mixing solid and liquid materials comprising:

a solids inlet defined by a generally cylindrical casing;
an impeller mounted for rotation about an axis coaxial with said cylindrical casing including an upper chamber in open communication with said solids inlet, and impeller vanes operative to impart a centrifugal force to solids entering said chamber whereby to direct the solids radially and outwardly through a radially opening outlet;
a liquid inlet disposed in outer concentric relation to said impeller provided with axially directed openings to direct the water axially in a high velocity stream in outer spaced concentric relation to said radially opening outlet, means for introducing liquid under pressure into said liquid inlet, and the solids being directed outwardly in a stream normal to the axial stream of liquid so as to be entrained and fully intermixed with said high velocity stream;
and
a recirculating passageway concentrically disposed between said liquid inlet and impeller for directing a predetermined proportion of the intermixed solids and liquid stream through said impeller zone.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for blending liquids and solids

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for blending liquids and solids

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19