Additive Injection System Integrating Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing equipment for mixing well treatment fluids, such as fracturing fluids, requires a significant number of pieces of equipment and is complex, making the process inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
An additive injection apparatus with a flow manifold, injection tube, and valves that allow for the efficient injection of additives, such as proppants or gels, into the fluid stream, reducing the need for additional mixing equipment by integrating the additive injection directly into the fluid flow path.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional mixing equipment (blenders, mixers, storage vessels) is used to prepare treatment fluids, then the fluid can be properly mixed and pumped, but the equipment complexity and resource requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate equipment functions (additive storage, injection, and fluid mixing) into a single integrated flow manifold system. The flow manifold receives both the treatment fluid and additive through separate inlets, mixes them internally, and delivers the combined fluid through an outlet, eliminating the need for separate blenders, mixers, and storage vessels while maintaining effective fluid mixing
Solution Approach 2:
The flow manifold serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as an additive storage chamber, an injection system, a mixing chamber, and a delivery conduit. This multi-functional design consolidates what would traditionally require multiple separate pieces of equipment into a single universal device
2Reliability
If multiple separate equipment pieces are used for treatment fluid preparation, then proper fluid handling is achieved, but the process becomes inefficient and resource-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
By merging additive storage, injection, and mixing functions into the flow manifold, the system reduces the number of equipment pieces and interconnections required. This integration streamlines the fluid preparation process, reducing resource requirements and improving overall process efficiency while maintaining reliable fluid handling capability
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Simplifies the mixing process by allowing for direct injection of additives into the fluid stream, reducing the complexity and resource requirements for fracturing fluid preparation, enabling more efficient pumping of treatment fluids into wells.
Implementation Method 1
A reciprocable plunger is disposed in the injection tube. The reciprocable plunger is movable from a retracted to an inserted position. When the reciprocable plunger moves to the inserted position additive will be injected from the injection tube into the flow manifold.
Implementation Method 2
A first valve which is movable between open and closed positions is included. When in the open position the first will allow additive to be communicated from the additive hopper to the injection tube.
Implementation Method 3
A second valve which is also movable between open and closed positions is included. The second valve may be a reciprocal or other type of valve movable between the open and closed positions so that when in the open position additive from the injection tube may be communicated into the flow manifold.
Data Source
AI summary
An additive injection apparatus has a flow manifold with an injection tube configured to communication an additive into the flow manifold. A hopper is connected to the injection tube and will deliver the additive to the injection tube. First and second valves movable between open and closed positions control the flow of additive from the hopper into the injection tube and from the injection tube into the flow manifold.