Gel mixing system
AssigneeServa Corporation
InventorThomas E. Allen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A gel mixing system that employs a dynamic diffuser for quickly removing the air from the fluid as the fluid exits a traditional gel mixer and employs progressive dilution of the gel in a series of hydration tanks to maximize hydration time without allowing the gel to become so viscous that it is not easily diluted or pumped. High shear agitation of the fluid between the hydration tanks helps to increase the hydration rate. Progressive dilution of the gel increases residence time of the gel in the tanks and results in longer hydration time in the limited tank space available, resulting in continuous production of gel that is almost fully hydrated when it is pumped to the fracturing blender and subsequently to the well bore without the need for an increase in the volume of the hydration tanks.
Claims7
A gel mixing method comprising the following steps:
- a. continuously mixing a measured amount of dry guar powder with a first volume of water in a gel mixer to form a non-hydrated and highly concentrated first liquid stream coming out of the gel mixer;
- b. passing the first liquid stream into a dynamic diffuser said dynamic diffuser including an impeller positioned within said dynamic diffuser;
- c. rotating said impeller and contacting said first liquid stream with said rotating impeller to remove air from the non-hydrated first liquid stream;
- and,
- d. using said impeller to maintain continuous fluid movement of said first liquid stream within said dynamic diffuser regardless of the flow rate of said first liquid stream into said dynamic diffuser.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.