Fracturing System Using Kinetic Energy Surges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hydraulic fracking technologies face challenges such as high energy consumption, long lead times to build pressure, and large water and proppant requirements, with low energy efficiency due to reliance on flow work for fracturing subterranean formations.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a fracking fluid comprising CO2, sand, and cleaning agents, accelerated to high velocity to create a water hammer effect, storing kinetic energy as potential energy during static flow and releasing it for three-dimensional fracture formation, using kinetic energy, internal energy, and flow work to reduce bitumen viscosity and facilitate hydrocarbon production without external heat sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hydraulic fracking uses high-pressure fluid injection to fracture subterranean formations, then fracturing effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases and energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs periodic pressure cycling where pressure is repeatedly applied and released to the fracking fluid. During pressurization, energy is stored in the compressed fluid; during depressurization, this stored energy is released as kinetic energy to enhance fracture propagation. This periodic action converts compressibility of the fluid into useful kinetic energy pulses, improving fracturing effectiveness while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-pressure injection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system exploits the compressibility of fracking fluid, which was previously considered a source of energy loss and reduced efficiency, and converts it into a beneficial mechanism. By repeatedly compressing and releasing the fluid, the system stores and releases energy that enhances fracture propagation kinetics. The compressibility that caused energy dissipation is now harnessed to create kinetic energy pulses that improve fracturing effectiveness while reducing the need for continuous high-energy input.
2Power
If conventional hydraulic fracking builds high pressure continuously to fracture formations, then fracturing power is improved, but lead time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary compression of the fracking fluid during non-fracturing intervals, storing energy in the compressed fluid. This preliminary action prepares the system for rapid fracture propagation without requiring continuous high-pressure buildup. The pre-compressed fluid acts as a stored energy reservoir that can be quickly deployed when fracturing is needed, reducing the lead time required to build fracturing power while maintaining high fracturing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses periodic pressure cycling to repeatedly compress and release the fracking fluid. Each compression cycle stores energy that is subsequently released as kinetic energy during fracture propagation. This periodic action allows the system to maintain high fracturing power when needed while utilizing off-periods for energy storage, thereby reducing the overall lead time compared to continuous high-pressure buildup requirements of conventional methods.
3Productivity
If conventional hydraulic fracking uses large volumes of water and proppant, then fracture support and propagation are improved, but water and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the conventional mechanical approach of using large volumes of fluid to physically push proppant into fractures with a kinetic energy-based approach. By repeatedly compressing and releasing the fracking fluid, the system generates kinetic energy pulses that more efficiently propel proppant into fracture networks. This mechanical-to-kinetic energy substitution reduces the total volume of water and proppant needed while maintaining or improving fracture propagation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the energy delivery parameters from continuous high-pressure mechanical forcing to periodic kinetic energy pulses. This parameter change allows for more efficient energy transfer to the proppant and fracture system, reducing the total quantity of water and proppant required. The kinetic energy pulses create more effective proppant placement with less material compared to conventional continuous high-volume injection methods.
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
This approach significantly reduces production costs and environmental impact while achieving efficient fracturing with high-pressure kinetic energy surges, eliminating the need for large amounts of high-pressure steam and external heat, and enhancing hydrocarbon recovery.
Implementation Method 1
accelerated to high velocity to create a water hammer effect, storing kinetic energy as potential energy during static flow and releasing it for three-dimensional fracture formation
Implementation Method 2
The CO2 molecules, when subjected to a high surge pressure, compress under static flow conditions (i.e., before formation breakdown in fracking) thereby storing the kinetic energy as 'potential energy due to compression'
Implementation Method 3
using kinetic energy, internal energy, and flow work to reduce bitumen viscosity
Data Source
AI summary
A formation-fracking system has an gas/fluid accumulator, one or more pumps for pumping a fracking fluid, a fracking string extending to a subterranean formation and defining a fracking channel and a circulation channel, a valve subsystem coupling the pumps to the gas/fluid accumulator and the fracking string, and a bypass valve in fluid communication with the fracking channel and a fracking section. The valve subsystem alternately transitions between a first state for directing fracking fluid from the pumps and the gas/fluid accumulator to the fracking channel to create a kinetic-energy surge, and a second state for directing fracking fluid from the pumps to the gas/fluid accumulator for storing energy therein and for fracturing the formation using the kinetic-energy surge. The bypass valve enables a bypass channel fluidly connecting the fracking channel to the circulation channel in the first state and abruptly disables the bypass channel in the second state.