Sacrificial Liners for Fracturing Fluid Conduit Erosion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fracturing fluid delivery systems face erosion issues due to abrasive particulates in the fracturing fluid, which can damage conduits and other components, leading to reduced efficiency and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of flexible fracturing fluid conduits with sacrificial sleeves and liners, such as polymeric liners, to protect the interior surfaces from erosive wear, and the use of sacrificial sleeves that can be easily replaced to mitigate erosion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional conduits without protective liners are used, then the system structure is simple and manufacturing cost is low, but the conduits suffer from erosive wear due to abrasive particulates in fracturing fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is segmented into an inner protective liner and an outer structural conduit. The liner is a separate replaceable component that can be installed within the conduit bore, allowing the protective function to be separated from the structural function. This enables the liner to be replaced without replacing the entire conduit assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is designed as a sacrificial protective element that absorbs erosive wear damage instead of the expensive conduit. When the liner becomes worn, it is replaced rather than the entire conduit, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. The liner acts as a disposable protective barrier.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If sacrificial liners are installed in conduits, then erosive wear is reduced and component lifespan is extended, but maintenance complexity increases due to liner replacement requirements
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the protective function into a separate liner component, the system allows for targeted replacement of only the worn liner rather than the entire conduit assembly. This modular approach simplifies maintenance compared to replacing complete conduit sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is designed to be discarded when worn and replaced with a new liner. The old liner can be removed and discarded, while the valuable conduit structure is retained and reused. This approach reduces waste of expensive materials while managing maintenance efficiently.
3Strength
If rigid conduit ends are used, then structural strength is maintained, but erosion damage occurs at the conduit bore walls from high-velocity fracturing fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The liner provides localized protection specifically at the conduit bore wall where erosive wear occurs. The liner material is selected for its erosion resistance properties, concentrating the protective function at the critical interface with the fracturing fluid while the conduit structure maintains its structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The conduit system becomes a composite structure with the liner and conduit acting as separate functional layers. The liner provides erosion resistance while the conduit provides structural strength, creating a composite system that combines the benefits of different materials for different functions.
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 use of sacrificial sleeves and liners significantly reduces erosive wear on conduit components, extending their lifespan and maintaining system efficiency by shielding the surfaces from abrasive fracturing fluids, thereby enhancing the durability and reliability of fracturing fluid delivery systems.
Implementation Method 1
The sacrificial sleeve can cover and protect at least a portion of a bore wall of the rigid end from erosive flow of fracturing fluid through the flexible fracturing fluid conduit
Implementation Method 2
a sacrificial liner in the bore protects an interior surface of the rigid body from erosive wear
Data Source
AI summary
Fracturing fluid delivery systems having components with sacrificial liners or sleeves are provided. In one example, a fracturing system includes a flexible fracturing fluid conduit coupled to a wellhead assembly. The flexible fracturing fluid conduit includes a flexible body, a rigid end joined to the flexible body, and a bore extending through the flexible body and the rigid end for conveying fracturing fluid to the wellhead assembly. The flexible fracturing fluid conduit also includes a rigid sacrificial sleeve installed in the rigid end and within the bore. In another example, a fracturing system includes a fracturing fluid delivery apparatus coupled to a wellhead. The fracturing fluid delivery apparatus includes a pressure-containing component having a rigid body with a bore for conveying fracturing fluid. The pressure-containing component has a sacrificial liner provided through the bore along an interior surface of the rigid body. Additional systems, devices, and methods are disclosed.