Patent Application
20250154634
The present disclosure relates to novel stainless steel formulations. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to stainless steel formulations that are advantageous for forming pump components, such as components of high-pressure pumps used for hydraulic fracturing.
Hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,” is used for extracting oil and gas from geologic formations, such as shale, using vertical or horizontal fluidized drilling. During fracking, high-pressure fluid, such as a slurry with water, proppants, surfactants, and/or other additives, is used to fracture rock to simulate the flow of oil and gas through the rock to increase the volumes of oil or gas that is collected. The systems used to inject the high-pressure fluid, or fracking fluid, includes, among other components, an engine, transmission, and pump, which are often loaded on a trailer.
In these types of fracking operations, the slurry, having hard proppant particles therein, may be under high pressures, such as 15,000 pounds per square inch (psi). As slurry is pressurized and forced into the ground parts of the fracking equipment, such as components of the pumps, may be subject to high levels of wear and/or corrosion due to the highly pressurized slurry. Hydraulic fracking pump components (e.g., a fluid end assembly) that are exposed to fracking fluid are prone to fluid leakage, failure, and other sustainability issues due to wear, corrosion, and degradation resulting from their exposure to components of the fracking fluid having corrosive or abrasive properties (e.g., proppant, chemical additives, etc.). Thus, excessive wear and corrosion of the pump components, such as the fluid end assembly or components thereof, can lead to reduced lifetimes of the pumps and/or other fracking equipment.
Increased frequency of maintenance and/or reduced lifetime of the pumps can result in reduced levels of uptime of processes reliant on the pumps. For example, in fracking applications, maintenance can temporarily stop the production of hydrocarbons and/or hydraulic drilling from a fracking site. It is desirable to operate the pumps in an efficient, low cost manner that reduces the wear and tear on the pump components, etc. Thus, it is desirable to improve the durability, hardness, and/or toughness of the pump components, such as the fluid end assembly, without excessive cost of the pumps.
One mechanism for improving the durability of pump components is described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,344,758 (hereinafter referred to as “the '758 patent”). The '758 patent describes a precipitation hardened martensitic stainless steel for pumps. However, the '758 patent provides for relatively narrow ranges of constituent elements in the proposed stainless steel formulation. The tight control of the composition of the stainless steel can reduce the possibility of recycling scrap metal to formulate the stainless steel for fabricating pumps. Thus, the stainless steel composition of the '758 patent may be more costly and may have a greater environmentally footprint, as the compositional controls may disallow the use of scrap metal.
Examples of the present disclosure are directed toward overcoming one or more of the deficiencies noted above.
In an example of the disclosure, a stainless steel formulation includes a nickel (Ni) content in a range of about 3.5% to about 4.5% by weight, a chromium (Cr) content in a range of about 12% to about 13.5% by weight, a manganese (Mn) content in a range of about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight, a molybdenum (Mo) content up to about 0.7%, and copper (Cu) content up to about 0.05% by weight. The stainless steel formulation further includes a titanium (Ti) content in a range of about 0.01% to about 0.05% by weight, a cobalt (Co) content in a range of about 0.04% to about 0.2% by weight, and a vanadium (V) content in a range of about 0.03% to about 0.15% by weight.
In another example of the disclosure, a method includes providing an ingot with a Ni content in a range of about 3.5% to about 4.5% by weight, a Cr content in a range of about 12% to about 13.5% by weight, a Mn content in a range of about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight, a molybdenum (Mo) content up to about 0.7%, a Cu content up to about 0.5% by weight, an aluminum (Al) content up to about 0.05% by weight, a combined niobium (Nb) and tantalum (Ta) content up to about 0.1% by weight, and a phosphorous (P) content up to about 0.035% by weight. The method further includes forging the ingot into a string and cutting the string into pieces.
In yet another example of the disclosure, a fluid end includes a component having a Ni content in a range of about 3.5% to about 4.5% by weight, a Cr content in a range of about 12% to about 13.5% by weight, a Ti content up to about 0.05% by weight, and a Co content up to about 0.2% by weight; and a V content up to about 0.15% by weight.
Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.
The disclosure herein describes a novel formulation of stainless steel that provides for a substantial martensitic texture, which provides high wear resistance, toughness, and corrosion resistance of components formed therewith. This stainless steel formulation may be used to fabricate a wide variety of components that benefit from high wear resistance, high hardness, high corrosion resistance, and/or high toughness. For example, the novel stainless steel formulation may be used to fabricate pumps and/or pump components, such as a fluid end of a pump.
The stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein, has relatively wide margins for control of individual elements therein. This allows for looser control of the exact composition of the stainless steel within the bounds described herein. The relatively wide margins for the control of individual elements of the stainless steel enables a lower cost of manufacturing the stainless steel. In some cases, the composition of the stainless steel is particularly amenable to the use of scrap metal in its formulation. Using scrap metal provides for lower cost of the stainless steel disclosed herein, as well as environmental benefits of recycling metals.
The crankshaft 125, while contained within the frame 120, is rotated by a power source, such as an engine (not shown). The one or more connecting rods 130 have ends that are rotatably coupled to the crankshaft 125 and the opposite end of each connecting rod 130 is pivotally connected to the crosshead 140. The rotational motion of the crankshaft 125 is converted to a linear reciprocating motion by the crosshead 140, via the connecting rod 130. Each crosshead 140 is disposed within a stationary crosshead case 155. The pony rod 145 is attached to an end of the crosshead 140 that is opposite to the crank shaft 125. The plunger 115 is mounted to an end of the pony rod 145 by the pony rod clamp 150. The pony rod 145 moves, or strokes, the plunger 115 within a cylinder of a fluid end assembly 110. The wrist pin 135 (sometimes referenced as a gudgeon pin in the art) secures the plunger 115 to the connecting rod 130 and provides a bearing for the connecting rod 130 to pivot upon as the plunger 115 moves.
With continued reference to
In operation, the upstroke of plunger 115 creates a suction pressure within the chamber 179 that causes suction valve 170 to open and causes low-pressure fracking fluid to be drawn through intake 199. The fracking fluid is conducted through the intake 199, through the suction bore 175 and into the chamber 179, of the fluid end body 101, of the fluid end assembly 110. Valve stop 185 secures the suction valve 170 within the suction bore 175 and carries the spring 180 that biases the valve body, of the suction valve 175, to a closed position against the valve seat, of the suction valve 175. The down stroke of plunger 115 closes the suction valve 170 and opens the discharge valve 172 and also pressurizes the low-pressure fracking fluid to enable the discharge of the high-pressure fracking fluid. The high-pressure fracking fluid may travel through open discharge valve 172 and discharge bore 177 to be directed to a wellbore for hydraulic fracturing (e.g., to create cracks in the deep-rock formations to stimulate flow of natural gas, petroleum, and brine). It should be understood that the exact details, such as component types, sizes of components, and/or the coupling mechanisms between components, may vary from those depicted here. This disclosure contemplates variations, as understood by those skilled in the art, of the hydraulic fracturing pump 100, the power end assembly 105, and/or the fluid end assembly 110.
According to examples of the disclosure, the hydraulic fracturing pump 100 and/or any components thereof may be fabricated using the novel stainless steel formulation disclosed herein. For example, any of the components of the power end assembly 105 and/or the fluid end assembly 110 may be fabricated using the stainless steel formulation disclosed herein. In some cases, certain components of the fluid end assembly 110, such as the fluid end body 101, the cylinder body 160, the fluid cylinder 195, or the like may be fabricated using the stainless steel formulation disclosed herein. The stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein, may provide a preferential martensitic microstructure. Additionally, the stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein, may be critical to enable the use of scrap metal for its formulation, resulting in a cost-effective stainless steel alloy with a reduced environmental footprint. The elemental ranges (in weight percentage) of the formulation of the novel stainless steel are shown in Table 1 below.
A hydraulic fracking pump component (e.g., a fluid end body 101, or a fluid end assembly 110) composed of the stainless steel composition, may have enhanced wear resistance, corrosion resistance, enhanced durability, reduced cost, or a combination thereof when compared to a hydraulic fracking pump component composed of carbon alloy steel, other stainless steel formulations, and/or other materials of construct. In some cases, a pump component (e.g., a fluid end body 101, or a fluid end assembly 110) may have an extended life span when compared to a carbon alloy pump component and/or a pump component formed from other conventional metallic formulations. For example, a pump component manufactured with the stainless steel alloy, as disclosed herein, when compared to a carbon alloy pump component exposed to the same conditions may have an average lifespan that is at least 10% longer, at least 25% longer, at least 50% longer, at least 100% longer, at least 125% longer, at least 150% longer, at least 200% longer, at least 250% longer, at least 300% longer, at least 350% longer, at least 400% longer, at least 450% longer, or at least 500% longer than that of its carbon alloy counterpart.
The hydraulic fracturing pump and/or a pump component fabricated from the stainless steel formulation may exhibit less pitting, which is indicative of corrosion, compared to a carbon alloy pump component exposed to the same or similar conditions. The hydraulic fracturing pump 100 and its constituent components, such as the front end assembly 110, are often used in and exposed to harsh conditions, such as at a oilfield, that promote corrosion. Therefore, the prevention of corrosive pitting in the field of the hydraulic fracturing pump 100 and/or its constituent components may provide for improved in-the-field uptime. For example, a pump component fabricated from the disclosed stainless steel formulation may exhibit at least 5%, at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20%, at least 25%, at least 30%, at least 35%, at least 40%, at least 45%, or at least 50% less pitting compared to its carbon alloy steel counterpart.
A resistant pump component fabricated from the disclosed stainless steel formulation may exhibit improved average lifespan, less pitting, or a combination thereof compared to a carbon alloy pump component. The stainless steel formulation is highly resistant to mechanical malformation, corrosion, and wear, even upon exposure to high-pressure corrosive materials such as a fracking fluid. A stainless steel component (e.g., the fluid end assembly 110) may have a life span of at least 1,800 hours, at least 1,900 hours, at least 2,000 hours, at least 2,100 hours, at least 2,200 hours, or at least 2,300 hours.
A resistant pump component fabricated from the disclosed stainless steel formulation may further have a manufacturing cost that is less than a counterpart pump component composed of other formulations of stainless steel. For example, a resistant pump component may have a manufacturing cost that is at least 5% less, at least 10% less, at least 15% less, at least 20% less, at least 30% less, at least 40% less, at least 50% less, or at least 60% less than a pump component manufactured with other stainless steel formulations having comparable life span and/or resistance characteristics. In some embodiments, a resistant pump component may have a manufacturing cost that is at least at least 5% less, at least 10% less, at least 15% less, at least 20% less, at least 30% less, at least 40% less, at least 50% less, or at least 60% less than other stainless pump components when factored as a cost per average lifetime of those components.
Specific different formulations of the disclosed stainless steel that provide the benefits, as descried herein, are depicted in Table 2 below.
The stainless steel formulation for fabricating the hydraulic fracturing pump 100 and/or components thereof (e.g., grooveless fluid end assembly 300, grooved fluid end assembly 400, etc.) are described further herein. The stainless steel formulations may be in the elemental range of values as listed in Table 1. Furthermore, Table 2 depicts example formulations of the stainless steel for manufacturing the hydraulic fracturing pump and/or the components thereof.
In some cases, the composition of the disclosed stainless steel formulation may be such that the stainless steel is protected from delta-ferrite microstructure transformation to sigma phase. The compositions of the stainless steel may be such that the sum of the elemental composition of carbon and nitrogen (“C+N”) may be greater than about 0.015% percent by weight. In other cases, the C+N may be greater than about 0.02% percent by weight. In yet other cases, the C+N may be greater than about 0.03% percent by weight. In still other cases, the C+N may be greater than about 0.04% percent by weight. In further cases, the C+N may be greater than about 0.05% percent by weight. In some cases, the C+N may be less than about 0.1% percent by weight.
In some cases, the composition of the disclosed stainless steel formulation may be such that the stainless steel is protected from carbide formation, particularly during a tempering process. The compositions of the stainless steel may be such that the sum of the elemental composition of titanium, niobium, and vanadium (“Ti+Nb+V”) may be greater than about 0.008% percent by weight. In other cases, the Ti+Nb+V may be greater than about 0.01% percent by weight. In yet other cases, the Ti+Nb+V may be greater than about 0.12% percent by weight. In still other cases, the Ti+Nb+V may be in the range of about 0.01% and about 0.15% by weight.
In some cases, the composition of the disclosed stainless steel formulation may be such that the stainless steel is protected from relatively high levels of crystal segregation. The compositions of the stainless steel may be such that the sum of the elemental composition of molybdenum and tungsten (“Mo+W”) may be greater than about 0.3% percent by weight. In other cases, the Mo+W may be greater than about 0.35% percent by weight. In still other cases, the Mo+W may be between about 0.32% and about 0.7% by weight.
In some cases, the composition of the disclosed stainless steel formulation may be such that the stainless steel is protected from corrosion. The compositions of the stainless steel may be such that the elemental composition of chromium divided by the sum of the elemental composition of carbon and nitrogen (“Cr/(C+N)”) may be in the range of about 130 and about 350.
In some cases, the disclosed stainless steel may have a composition, such that a J-Factor ((Mn+Si)×(P+Sn)×104) value is less than about 350 to provide for cleanliness and embrittlement protection. For example, the stainless steel formulation may have a J-Factor value from about 1 to about 50, about 50 to about 100, about 100 to about 150, about 150 to about 200, about 200 to about 250, or about 250 to about 350. J-Factor values disclosed herein are critical to achieve desired mechanical properties, cost, and/or enablement of at least partial scrap metal sourcing.
Although discussed in the context of hydraulic fracturing pumps 100 and/or components thereof, it should be appreciated that the stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein, may be used in the fabrication of any suitable item that can benefit from using cost-effective stainless steel with high wear tolerance, hardness, chemical resistance, and/or toughness. For example, the stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein may be used in any variety of transportation, automotive, aerospace, farming, manufacturing, military, mining, construction, and/or commercial applications. For example, the stainless steel formulation may be used for any variety of components of heavy machinery. As another example, the stainless steel formulation may be used in any variety of components of turbine engines. As yet another example, the stainless steel formulation may be used to fabricate various components of farming equipment. Indeed, the stainless steel formulation has advantages that may benefit any variety of applications.
At block 502, an ingot is forged into a string. According to some examples, the stainless steel composition of the ingot may be generated by melting one or more elemental components (e.g., nickel, manganese, chromium, carbon) in a furnace, such as an electric arc furnace to form the ingot as the starting material for fabricating components of the hydraulic fracturing pump 100. The molten stainless steel may be refined to remove slag to form a refined stainless steel ingot. In some cases, the stainless steel may be purified to remove dissolved gases and undesired elements to form the disclosed stainless steel formulation. The optional purifying step may include use of an Argon Oxygen Decarburization (AOD) process. The molten stainless steel may be cast into the ingot. In some embodiments, the stainless steel of the ingot may be forged into any desired geometry of the string. In some cases, the ingot may be heated to a forging temperature ranging from about 850° C. to about 1,300° C. and then forged into any suitable geometry to form a forged metal string. The string may have a shape of any hydraulic fracturing pump 100 and/or fluid end 110 component (e.g., cylinder body, suction bore, etc.).
The elemental components of the stainless steel may be derived from scrap metal. The use of scrap metal to form the stainless steel ingot may have considerable cost benefits. The ingot may have a composition defined by Table 1. For example, the ingot may have any of the compositions listed in Table 2. It should be understood that the stainless steel formulation may not be exactly one of the compositions listed in Table 2.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of carbon (C) between about 0% and about 0.05% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of C between about 0.02% and about 0.04% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of C between about 0.025% and about 0.035% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of C between about 0.04% and about 0.05% by weight. The term “about” may, in some cases, refer to a variation of plus or minus five percent (+/−5%).
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of silicon (Si) between about 0% and about 0.6% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Si between about 0.3% and about 0.5% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Si between about 0.035% and about 0.045% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Si composition of about 0.4% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of nickel (Ni) between about 3.5% and about 4.5% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Ni between about 3.6% and about 4.25% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Ni between about 3.6% and about 4% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Ni composition of about 3.75% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of chromium (Cr) between about 12% and about 13.5% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Cr between about 12.3% and about 13.2% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Cr between about 12.5% and about 12.9% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Cr composition of about 12.7% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of titanium (Ti) between about 0% and about 0.05% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Ti between about 0.005% and about 0.04% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Ti between about 0.005% and about 0.02% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Ti composition of less than about 0.01% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of cobalt (Co) between about 0% and about 0.2% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Co between about 0.05% and about 0.1% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Co between about 0.05% and about 0.05% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Co composition of less than about 0.1% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of vanadium (V) between about 0% and about 0.2% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of V between about 0.005% and about 0.15% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of V between about 0.01% and about 0.1% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental V composition of less than about 0.07% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of copper (Cu) between about 0% and about 0.5% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Cu between about 0.1% and about 0.4% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Cu between about 0.2% and about 0.3% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Cu composition of less than about 0.25% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of phosphorus (P) between about 0% and about 0.035% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of P between about 0.005% and about 0.03% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of P between about 0.02% and about 0.03% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental P composition of less than about 0.03% by weight.
The stainless steel formulation of the ingot may have an elemental range of aluminum (Al) between about 0% and about 0.05% by weight. In other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Al between about 0.01% and about 0.03% by weight. In still other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental range of Al between about 0.02% and about 0.03% by weight. In yet other cases, the stainless steel formulation may have an elemental Al composition of less than about 0.025% by weight.
It should be understood that in the stainless steel formulations, as disclosed herein, certain elements are included as part of the formulation as ranges that are tolerable to the formulation of the ingot, so that the ingot may be fabricated using lower-cost recycled and/or scrap metal. Therefore, the ranges of elements, as disclosed and/or claimed, should be understood to be included not necessarily to achieve certain material characteristics, but also to enable favorable feedstock for forming the disclosed formulation. In some cases, certain elements, such as Ti, V, and/or Co, may be included in the non-obvious combination of materials as a critical component in enabling a low-cost formulation.
At block 504, the string is heat treated. The heat treatment may be at any suitable temperature and/or time. The string may be treated to a qualified heat treatment that may include one or more of austenitizing, stress relieving, and annealing to form a qualified metal. In some cases, temperatures for the heat treatment may be selected as to provide for one or more of a fine grain structure and desired mechanical properties. For example, the time and temperature of the heat treatment may be selected to provide a substantial fine-grain martensitic crystal structure.
At block 506, the string is tempered. The tempering may be performed at any suitable temperature and/or time. Due to the composition of the disclosed stainless steel formulation, the amount of precipitates formed may be minimal. The tempering may provide stress relief, mechanical stability, and microstructure stability to the string.
At block 508, the string is cut into pieces. The pieces may be the size of the final components being manufactured. For example, is a body of a fluid end assembly 110 is fabricated, then the pieces may be cut to approximately the size of the fluid end assembly 110. The pieces may be cut as close to the size of the final component being formed (e.g., a fluid end assembly 110) to minimize waste.
At block 510, the pieces are machined into components. According to some examples of the disclosure the fabricated component may be a fluid end component made of the disclosed stainless steel composition. The machining may be performed using any suitable tools, such as a lathe, a milling machine, a grinder, a drill, a polisher, a brake, a welder, or the like. Any scrap from cutting the pieces and/or machining the pieces may be recycled into ingots for further processing.
It should be noted that some of the operations of method 500 may be performed out of the order presented, with additional elements, and/or without some elements. Some of the operations of method 500 may further take place substantially concurrently and, therefore, may conclude in an order different from the order of operations shown above. For example, it should be noted that in some cases, the ordering of heat treatment (block 504), tempering (block 506), and/or cutting (block 508) may be reordered. In other words, in some cases, the string may be cut into pieces prior to heat treating the pieces and tempering the pieces. In other cases, the string may be heat treated, then cut into pieces, and finally, the pieces may be tempered. Method 500 envisions any suitable variation in the ordering, as would be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.
The disclosure is described above with reference to block and flow diagrams of systems, methods, apparatuses, and/or computer program products according to example embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood that one or more blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and flow diagrams, respectively, can be implemented by computer-executable program instructions. Likewise, some blocks of the block diagrams and flow diagrams may not necessarily need to be performed in the order presented or may not necessarily need to be performed at all, according to some embodiments of the disclosure.
This disclosure describes systems and methods for cost-effectively extending the operating lifetime of hydraulic fracturing pump components, such as the fluid end assembly 110. According to the disclosure, components of the hydraulic fracturing pump 100 may be fabricated and/or manufactured using the stainless steel formulation disclosed herein. The stainless steel formulation provide substantial martensitic crystal structure in the components fabricated therefrom, resulting in several advantages. The martensitic grain structure allows for greater strength, durability, wear tolerance, chemical tolerance, and hardness relative to other metal formulations. Thus pumps and/or components thereof manufactured with the novel stainless steel formulation disclosed herein provide a greater lifetime of the pump and/or components thereof relative to conventional materials of fabrication.
The novel stainless steel formulation, as disclosed herein, has relatively wide elemental controls compared to conventional stainless steel formulations. This wide control range of constituent elements in the stainless steel allows for less stringent control of constituent materials during formulation of the stainless steel. Less stringent elemental controls generally provide cost advantages. Additionally, the wider elemental ranges of this stainless steel allows for use of scrap metals in its formulation. Scrap metals are generally lower cost than virgin material used to formulate stainless steel. The use of scrap metal also has environmental benefits, as previously used materials can be recycled into additional useful purposes. Furthermore, the use of scrap metal in formulating new allows, such as the novel stainless steel formulation, is less energy intensive than using virgin materials for the same purpose. Thus, the use of scrap material to formulate the stainless steel alloy allows for reduced energy consumption, reduced carbon intensity, and reduced emissions from energy inputs for forming the stainless steel.
The increased operating lifetimes result in reduced number of hydraulic fracturing pumps 100 and/or components thereof needed for completing fracking projects. Furthermore, the increased operating lifetimes decrease the need to stop operations of drilling projects to replace components of the hydraulic fracturing pumps 100. Thus, the disclosure enables greater uptime of fracking projects and reduced material usage. Therefore, the disclosure results in greater efficiencies and greater return on investment (ROI) and return on capital (ROC) compared to conventionally fabricated hydraulic fracturing pumps 100.
While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machines, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.
Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein.
