Self-Supporting Flexible Pipe Arches for Fracturing Manifolds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing well fracture systems face challenges with complex and inefficient high-pressure fluid transmission from pump trucks to wellbores, often resulting in pipe failures, pressure loss, and cluttered workspaces.
Innovation Solution
The use of self-supporting flexible pipes forming arches to connect pump outlets to manifold inlets, eliminating the need for rigid high-pressure lines and allowing for more flexible equipment layouts and reduced vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid high-pressure lines are used to connect pump trucks to manifold, then structural strength and pressure containment are improved, but device complexity and workspace clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid high-pressure lines with flexible hoses that can contain high pressure fluid while providing flexibility in positioning. The flexible connection allows pump trucks to be positioned closer to the manifold without requiring complex rigid piping systems, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining pressure containment capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic positioning capability through flexible hoses, allowing the connection between pump trucks and manifold to adapt to different operational configurations. This dynamic flexibility eliminates the need for complex rigid structural arrangements while maintaining system integrity under high pressure.
2Reliability
If rigid high-pressure lines are used for fluid transmission, then pressure transmission reliability is improved, but vibration-induced stress and pipe failures increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose acts as a vibration isolator between the pump truck and manifold, absorbing vibration-induced stress that would otherwise transmit through rigid piping and cause failures. The flexibility of the hose allows it to dampen vibrations while maintaining reliable high-pressure fluid transmission.
3Ease of operation
If pump trucks are positioned farther from manifold, then workspace accessibility is improved, but pressure loss in transmission lines increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible hose enables pump trucks to be positioned optimally for workspace accessibility while maintaining short connection lengths to the manifold. This flexibility allows operators to arrange equipment for best access without incurring significant pressure losses, as the hose can be routed efficiently without requiring long rigid pipe runs.
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.