Self-Supporting Flexible Pipe Arches for Fracturing Manifold Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current well fracture systems face challenges with rigid high pressure lines that cause erosion, corrosion, leaks, and cluttered workspaces due to vibrations and complex assembly requirements, leading to inefficiencies and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
The use of self-supporting flexible pipes forming arches to connect pump outlets to manifold inlets, which reduces vibration, pressure drop, and clutter, while allowing for flexible pump truck and manifold arrangements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid high pressure lines are used to connect pump outlets to manifold inlets, then structural strength and pressure containment are improved, but erosion, corrosion, leaks, and vibrations occur leading to reduced reliability and safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid high pressure lines with flexible pipes that have multi-layered construction including an inner tube, reinforcement layers, and an outer cover. This flexible pipe design maintains pressure containment while eliminating the erosion, corrosion, and leak problems associated with rigid lines, thereby improving system reliability and safety.
2Stress or pressure
If rigid high pressure lines are used, then pressure containment is improved, but cluttered workspaces and safety hazards occur due to vibrations and complex assembly requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe design allows for easier installation and configuration compared to rigid lines. The flexibility enables the pipe to be routed more efficiently, reducing clutter in the workspace while maintaining pressure containment capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible pipe can dynamically adapt to movements and vibrations without transmitting them rigidly through the system, reducing the clutter and safety hazards associated with rigid line vibrations while maintaining pressure containment.
3Ease of operation
If self-supporting flexible pipes forming arches are used, then workspace clarity and safety are improved, but pipe support and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible pipe is configured to form an arch shape between the pump outlet and manifold inlet. This curved configuration provides structural stability and self-support capability while clearing the ground and improving workspace clarity. The arch shape distributes forces effectively, maintaining pipe stability without requiring additional support structures.
4Reliability
If flexible pipes are used instead of rigid lines, then vibrations and stress concentrations are reduced, but pressure drop may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layered flexible pipe construction with reinforcement layers maintains structural integrity and minimizes pressure drop while still providing vibration reduction and stress concentration elimination compared to rigid lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The arch configuration of the flexible pipe creates a smooth flow path that minimizes turbulence and pressure drop, while the curved shape naturally dampens vibrations and reduces stress concentrations.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for transferring fluid from a pump to a manifold, the manifold having a plurality of fluid inlets. A first pump truck includes a first pump having a first fluid outlet. A first flexible pipe couples the first fluid outlet to a first fluid inlet. The first flexible pipe is self-supporting and forms an arch extending over the first pump truck. The first pump truck may include a second pump having a second fluid outlet and a second flexible pipe may couple the second fluid outlet to a second fluid inlet. A second pump truck may include third and fourth pumps having third and fourth fluid outlets, respectively, that may be coupled to third and fourth fluid inlets by third and fourth self-supporting flexible pipes.