Flexible Fluid Containment Tubes for Hydraulic Fracturing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing sites require extensive leveling and transportation of large quantities of water and drilling fluids, leading to high costs and environmental concerns due to the reliance on traditional containment ponds and tanker trucks.
Innovation Solution
A system of flexible fluid containment tubes with integrated pumps and valves for unidirectional flow, coupled with a backflow preventer and flow meters for accurate monitoring and recycling of drilling fluids, allowing for efficient storage and transportation of fluids, reducing the need for extensive site preparation and minimizing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If traditional containment ponds are used to store drilling fluids, then fluid storage capacity is sufficient, but site preparation time and costs increase due to extensive leveling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible containment tubes made of elastomeric material that can be deployed on uneven terrain without requiring extensive leveling. These tubes can be filled with drilling fluids and will conform to the ground surface, eliminating the need for traditional rigid containment ponds that require level ground construction
Solution Approach 2:
The containment system transitions from static rigid ponds to dynamic flexible tubes that can be inflated, deflated, moved, and reconfigured as needed. The tubes can be deployed quickly on uneven terrain and adjusted to accommodate varying fluid storage requirements throughout the drilling operation
2Quantity of substance
If tanker trucks are used to transport large quantities of water to the drilling site, then water supply requirements are met, but transportation costs and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system captures and recycles drilling fluids and wastewater that would otherwise be discarded. Flow meters monitor the volume of fluids pumped into and out of the ground, enabling accurate tracking and recovery of reusable fluids, reducing the need for continuous water transportation
Solution Approach 2:
Flow meters provide real-time feedback on fluid volumes being pumped into and out of the well, allowing the system to optimize fluid management and minimize the need for additional water transportation by accurately tracking fluid balance
3Measurement precision
If flow meters are integrated into the backflow preventer, then fluid monitoring accuracy improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flow meters are integrated directly into the backflow preventer assembly, combining multiple functions (flow measurement and backflow prevention) into a single unified device. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining measurement accuracy
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
The system reduces site preparation time and costs by allowing flexible placement of containment tubes on uneven terrain, minimizes water transportation needs through fluid recycling, and enhances environmental safety by preventing spills and accurate fluid monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
Each port may be coupled to a valve configured to enable filling or emptying of the fluid from the tube. In one embodiment, the valve is a check valve providing unidirectional flow.
Implementation Method 2
A flow meter may be coupled to the forward port to determine the volume of fluid flowing through the forward port to the well.
Implementation Method 3
The system includes a number of flexible fluid containment structures, or tubes, for storing fluids used in or produced during fracking. Each tube includes a fill port and empty port that are coupled to pumps for filling and emptying the tube.
Implementation Method 4
The backflow preventer may include a forward backflow prevention mechanism that activates to prevent drilling waste from exiting the forward port.
Implementation Method 5
The port may include a locking mechanism that interfaces with the check valve to open the valve when a corresponding fitting of a fluid transport structure such as a pipe or hose is attached.
Data Source
AI summary
The system includes a number of flexible fluid containment structures, or tubes, for storing fluids used in or produced during fracking. The tubes may be filled to store water prior to introduction into the well or drilling waste expunged from the well. A series of valves and pumps control the flow of fluids to and from the tubes, well, and purification equipment. A backflow preventer including a primary port, forward port, and return port supports bi-directional fluid transfer with the well. Drilling fluids are piped into the forward port and exit the primary port to the well. A flow meter may be coupled to the forward port to determine the volume of fluid flowing through the forward port to the well. Drilling waste may also return from the well via the primary port and exit the return port, which may also include a flow meter.