System and method for the use of pressure exchange in hydraulic fracturing

Abstract

A pressure exchange system for use in hydraulic fracturing includes a closed-loop clean fluid circuit; an energizing system comprising a first pump; a high-pressure clean manifold system; a pressure exchange system; a low-pressure supply system; and a high-pressure dirty manifold system. The closed-loop clean fluid circuit delivers clean fluid to the energizing system, and the energizing system energizes the clean fluid to supply pressurized clean fluid. The high-pressure clean manifold system delivers the pressurized clean fluid to the pressure exchange system. Meanwhile, the low-pressure supply system delivers a low-pressure dirty stream to the pressure exchange system. The pressure exchange system transfers the energy from the pressurized clean fluid to the low-pressure dirty stream thereby supplying a pressurized dirty-stream, whereby the high-pressure dirty manifold system delivers the pressurized dirty-stream to a well-head.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 694,183, filed Jul. 5, 2018, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.BACKGROUND[0002]Hydraulic fracturing well sites, setups, and equipment have not changed for many years in fundamental form and function. The hydraulic fracturing fluids primarily containing sand, water and chemicals that are erosive and corrosive are combined in a blender, are energized to high pressures and rates using reciprocating pumps, and then injected down hole. There are, generally speaking, several pumps, manifolds, pipework, valves, and safety systems required to combine, pressurize, and reach the injection rates required to perform hydraulic fracturing.[0003]One significant problem with such systems is that the reciprocating high-pressure pumps are continuously subjected to the hydraulic fracturing fluids. The materials that make up this fluid, su...

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Benefits of technology

[0004]The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented elsewhere herein.

[0005]According to one embodiment, a pressure exchange system for use in hydraulic fracturing includes a closed-loop clean fluid circuit; an energizing system comprising a first pump; a high-pressure clean manifold system; a pressure exchange system; a low-pressure supply system; and a high-pressure dirty manifold system. The closed-loop clean fluid circuit delivers clean fluid to the energizing system, and the energizing system energizes the clean fluid to supply pressurized clean fluid. The high-pressure clean manifold system delivers the pressurized clean fluid to the pressure exchange system. Meanwhile, the l

Problems solved by technology

One significant problem with such systems is that the reciprocating high-pressure pumps are continuously subjected to the hydraulic fracturing fluids.

The materials that make up this fluid, such as sand and proppants, decrease the component life of the

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