Frac Stack Rams with Protective Sleeves for Erosion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fracturing trees in oil and gas extraction systems rely on valves for fluid control, which can be prone to erosive wear from abrasive fracturing fluids, leading to reduced operational efficiency and increased maintenance needs.

Innovation Solution

The use of rams with protective sleeves and advanced sealing configurations within a frac stack body to control fluid flow, eliminating the need for valves and mitigating erosive wear by shielding rams from abrasive particles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If valves are used for fluid control in fracturing trees, then fluid flow control is achieved, but erosive wear from abrasive fracturing fluids reduces operational efficiency and increases maintenance needs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational efficiencyVSAvoiderosive wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes valves from the fracturing tree system entirely and replaces them with a frac stack containing rams that can open and close to control fluid flow. This extraction of the harmful valve component eliminates the primary source of erosive wear while maintaining fluid control capability through the ram mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a protective sleeve as an intermediary component that covers the rams during fracturing operations. This sleeve acts as a shield between the abrasive fracturing fluid and the ram seals, reducing erosive wear while allowing the rams to perform their flow control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If valves are used for fluid control, then flow regulation is possible, but maintenance needs increase due to wear

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid flow controlVSAvoidmaintenance needs

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By removing valves from the system and replacing them with rams in a frac stack, the patent eliminates the maintenance burden associated with valve wear and repair while maintaining the ability to control fluid flow through the opening and closing of rams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective sleeve acts as a sacrificial component that can be easily replaced when worn, protecting the more expensive and critical ram seals from direct exposure to abrasive fluid, thereby reducing overall maintenance needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS10961800B2FRAC stacks with rams to close bores and control flow of fracturing fluid

Publication Date: 2021.03.30 CAMERSON INT CORP

AI summary

A fracturing system having rams for controlling flow through a fracturing tree is provided. In one embodiment, a fracturing system includes a frac stack mounted on a wellhead. The frac stack includes opposing rams to control flow of fracturing fluid through a bore of the frac stack during a fracturing operation. Additional systems, devices, and methods for fracturing are also disclosed.