Addition of proppant into a fluid.
Use of a hydrocarbon fluid over 2 psi Reid vapor pressure (RVP) is restricted for use in hydraulic fracturing without written permission from regulators. Also, if the flash point is 0 C or less it is a special consideration fluid. Both RVP and Flash point drive the classification of high Reid vapor pressure (HRVP) fluids. A conventional open tub blender could not be used with HRVP hydrocarbons. Accordingly, there is a means of enclosing a blender tub to enable HRVP fluids to be used.
U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0204991 discloses a proppant mixing system that relies on a spinning impeller mixing frac fluid with proppant to generate a dynamic seal. A continuous flow of proppant is allowed through a check valve and control valve. However, the tub is not adequately enclosed, particularly between the tub and the auger.
Accordingly, there is disclosed a vapor capturing system to enable HRVP fluids to be used in hydrocarbon fracturing operations. In an embodiment, there is disclosed a vapor hood for attachment to a blender tub for mixing proppant with a hydrocarbon fluid, the blender tub having an opening for receiving proppant, the vapor hood comprising a vapor-containing chamber adapted to be secured around the opening of the blender tub, a proppant entrance port to the vapor-containing chamber for receiving proppant from a proppant supply source, and a vapor extraction port for extracting vapor from the vapor-containing chamber.
In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: the proppant entrance port may comprise a one-way valve for preventing the escape of vapor through the proppant entrance port when proppant is not entering the vapor-containing chamber through the proppant entrance port. The vapor extraction port may be connected to a flare system. The vapor extraction port may be connected to a vapor recovery system. The one way valve may comprise a damper system to allow a flow of proppant to complete before the one way valve closes. The vapor hood may further comprise a sensor to detect when proppant is entering the proppant entrance port. The vapor hood may further comprise a viewport in the vapor-containing chamber to allow a person outside the vapor-containing chamber to view the proppant entrance port from a direction interior to the vapor-containing chamber.
In an embodiment, there is disclosed an apparatus for mixing proppant with a hydrocarbon fluid, comprising a blender tub for combining the hydrocarbon fluid and proppant, the blender tub having an opening for receiving proppant, a vapor-containing chamber secured around the opening of the blender tub, a proppant entrance port to the vapor-containing chamber for receiving proppant from a proppant supply source; and a vapor extraction port for extracting vapor from the vapor-containing chamber.
In various embodiments, there may be included any one or more of the following features: the proppant entrance port comprises a one-way valve for preventing the escape of vapor through the proppant entrance port when proppant is not entering the vapor-containing chamber through the proppant entrance port; the vapor extraction port is connected to a flare system; the vapor extraction port is connected to a vapor recovery system; the one way valve comprises a damper system to allow a flow of proppant to complete before the one way valve closes; a sensor to detect when proppant is entering the proppant entrance port; and a viewport in the vapor-containing chamber to allow a person outside the vapor-containing chamber to view the proppant entrance port from a direction interior to the vapor-containing chamber.
These and other aspects of the device and method are set out in the claims, which are incorporated here by reference.
Embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures, in which like reference characters denote like elements, by way of example, and in which:
A proppant blender receives proppant, for example sand, from a proppant delivery system, for example, augers. The proppant blender comprises a vapor hood or vapor containing chamber connected to a tub for blending fluid with proppant. A sensor system may be used to detect when sand is entering the proppant blender for use with an automated system to control the flow rate of proppant and hydrocarbon fluid into the blender tub. In the embodiment shown, viewport windows are used to determine when sand is entering. The sand is delivered through a proppant entrance port having a one way valve that closes to prevent the escape of vapor when sand is not entering. The one way valve may include a damping element to cause the valve to close slowly enough to allow the flow of sand to complete before the valve closes. In the embodiment shown, the sand is delivered to the vapor hood component of the blender. Alternatively, the sand could be delivered directly to the tub component. A motor is used to drive a mixing element in the tub. The mixing element may comprise, for example, a centrifugal pump. In the embodiment shown, the motor is mounted above the vapor hood and drives the mixing element via a shaft that extends through a sleeve of the vapor hood. In other embodiments, the motor may be positioned differently. The vapor hood may have a pressure relief valve to protect from overpressure during an upset. A vapor collection valve connected to the blender may receive vapors for redirection to a flare system or into a gas recapture system.
Referring to
Referring to
The embodiments shown are designed to capture the vapors from an open tub while adding a proppant into the flow. They will allow for use with high Reid Vapor pressure hydrocarbons. The vapor hoods shown connect the top of the blender tub to the discharge of the metering augers and provides a pressure seal capable of withstanding the pressure differential between the fluid and the ambient air. The embodiments shown are designed to work at less than 1 Atmosphere overpressure. In an example embodiment, the pressure differential between the interior of the vapor hood and the outside air may be equal to the vapor pressure of the fluid. In some embodiments, the system may be adapted for existing equipment (i.e. to fit onto a conventional open tub blender) with minimal alterations.
Vapor pressures above 2 PSI at 37 C-125 F are considered High Hazard and cannot be used with open top systems, without ensuring the atmosphere is safe for the equipment and personnel in the area. The proposed vapor hood may be designed for use with >2 PSI and <11 PSI. For reference, gasoline is 10 PSI at 120 F. The fluid used may be a hybrid fluid, or combination of commercially available fluids, that comprises, for example, C7-C18 hydrocarbons and is mixed at the well head with LPG. All of the hybrid fluid for sand addition may be over 2 PSI. Proppant loaded fluid from the blender disclosed may be supplied directly to a well head for mixing with LPG from high pressure pumps. Alternatively, proppant loaded fluid from the blender disclosed may be combined with a flow of hydrocarbon fluid from a separate high pressure pump before or at the wellhead. In an embodiment, as shown in
Immaterial modifications may be made to the embodiments described here without departing from what is covered by the claims. In the claims, the word “comprising” is used in its inclusive sense and does not exclude other elements being present. The indefinite articles “a” and “an” before a claim feature do not exclude more than one of the feature being present. Each one of the individual features described here may be used in one or more embodiments and is not, by virtue only of being described here, to be construed as essential to all embodiments as defined by the claims.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20150157995 A1 | Jun 2015 | US |