Fracturing Manifold Coupling Layout for Swirl and Drainage
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure fracturing operations face challenges in effectively dissipating fluid energy, suspending proppants, and draining fracturing fluids from manifold assemblies, leading to vibration issues, reduced proppant effectiveness, and potential corrosion and weight imbalances during transportation.
Innovation Solution
The use of a manifold coupling with specifically oriented inlet passages that promote swirling of fracturing fluid, enhancing energy dissipation and proppant suspension, and improving drainage by configuring the inlet passages to intersect with the manifold passage in a manner that reduces fluid retention and promotes turbulence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure fracturing operations are conducted, then hydrocarbon production is enhanced, but fluid energy dissipation becomes insufficient leading to vibration issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies mechanical vibration principles by designing inlet passages that generate controlled swirling flow patterns. The swirling motion creates centrifugal forces and turbulence that enhance energy dissipation of the fracturing fluid, converting kinetic energy into rotational motion and heat, thereby reducing harmful vibrations while maintaining high-pressure fracturing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic principles by optimizing the manifold assembly's fluid dynamics. The inlet passages are configured to create specific flow patterns that enhance energy dissipation through controlled turbulence and swirling, improving the hydraulic efficiency of the fracturing operation while reducing unwanted vibrations in the system
2Productivity
If high-pressure fracturing operations are conducted, then formation fracturing is achieved, but proppant suspension is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The swirling flow generated by the optimized inlet passages creates continuous mechanical agitation that keeps proppants suspended in the fracturing fluid. The rotational motion and associated centrifugal forces prevent proppant settling, ensuring uniform distribution of proppants throughout the fluid column during high-pressure fracturing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality principles by creating zones of enhanced turbulence and swirling flow within the manifold assembly. These localized high-velocity regions provide intensified mixing and suspension forces specifically where proppants are most likely to settle, while maintaining overall system efficiency for formation fracturing
3Ease of operation
If conventional manifold assemblies are used, then fluid delivery is achieved, but drainage efficiency is poor leading to corrosion and weight imbalances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry principles by designing inlet passages with non-uniform geometries and orientations. The asymmetric configuration creates uneven flow distribution patterns that promote complete drainage by preventing stagnant zones. The asymmetric swirl patterns ensure fluid moves through all regions of the manifold assembly, eliminating pockets where fluid could remain and cause corrosion or weight imbalances during transportation
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 configuration reduces vibration, enhances proppant suspension, facilitates efficient drainage, and minimizes corrosion and weight imbalances, thereby improving the efficiency and reliability of fracturing operations and reducing maintenance costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first and second inlet passages may be oriented and/or configured such that fracturing fluid entering the manifold assembly via the first and second inlet passages promotes swirling of the fracturing fluid downstream of the manifold coupling
Implementation Method 2
enhancing energy dissipation and proppant suspension, and improving drainage by configuring the inlet passages to intersect with the manifold passage in a manner that reduces fluid retention and promotes turbulence
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices to enhance fracturing fluid delivery to subsurface formations to enhance hydrocarbon production from the subsurface formations may include providing a manifold coupling having a manifold coupling passage with a manifold coupling axis. The manifold coupling may include a first inlet passage positioned to provide fluid flow between a first fracturing fluid output and the manifold coupling passage, and a second inlet passage positioned opposite the first inlet passage to provide fluid flow between a second fracturing fluid output and the manifold coupling passage. The first inlet passage may have a first inlet passage cross-section at least partially defining a first inlet axis extending transverse relative to the manifold coupling axis. The second inlet passage may have a second inlet passage cross-section at least partially defining a second inlet axis extending transverse relative to the manifold coupling axis and not being co-linear with the first inlet axis.