Fracturing Manifold Coupling With Swirl Inlets for Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
High-pressure fracturing operations in hydraulic fracturing face challenges with energy dissipation, proppant suspension, and fluid drainage in manifold assemblies, leading to vibration, premature wear, and reduced effectiveness due to inadequate energy dissipation and potential resonance, as well as difficulties in draining fracturing fluids for transportation and storage.
Innovation Solution
The use of a manifold coupling with oriented inlet passages that promote swirling of fracturing fluid, enhancing energy dissipation and proppant suspension, and facilitating improved drainage by configuring the inlet passages to intersect the manifold passage in a manner that promotes turbulence and efficient fluid flow, thereby reducing vibration and enhancing the homogeneity of proppant suspension and fluid drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If high-pressure fracturing operations are conducted through conventional manifold assemblies, then fracturing fluid can be delivered to subsurface formations, but energy dissipation is inadequate leading to vibration and premature wear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful pressure oscillations and energy from multiple fracturing pumps into beneficial swirling flow patterns. The manifold coupling design causes pressure pulses from multiple pumps to combine constructively, creating controlled swirl that enhances energy dissipation through turbulence rather than allowing destructive vibrations to propagate through the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a rotational dimension to the fluid flow by designing inlet passages that convert linear pressure pulses into swirling motion. This dimensional transformation from purely axial flow to rotational-flow adds a new degree of freedom for energy dissipation, reducing the one-dimensional vibration problems in conventional manifolds.
2Reliability
If conventional manifold assemblies are used, then fracturing fluid delivery is achieved, but proppant suspension is inadequate reducing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful pressure oscillations into beneficial swirling flow that enhances proppant suspension. The rotational motion generated by the specialized inlet passages creates centrifugal forces that keep proppants suspended in the fracturing fluid, preventing settling and ensuring uniform distribution into the formation.
3Weight of moving object
If fracturing fluids are not properly drained, then equipment can be transported and stored, but weight increases and maintenance issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses the rotational swirl flow to create centrifugal separation effects that facilitate drainage. The swirling motion enhances the separation of fracturing fluid from proppants and promotes efficient drainage through the manifold coupling design, allowing complete evacuation of fluid residues before 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 effectively reduces vibration, improves proppant suspension, and facilitates efficient drainage of fracturing fluids, leading to enhanced hydrocarbon production and reduced wear on equipment, while also minimizing the weight and maintenance issues associated with fluid residue during transportation.
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
This may result in inducing substantial vibration in the fracturing system, including the high-pressure manifold. Such vibration, if uncontrolled, may result in premature wear or failure of components
Implementation Method 3
enhancing suspension of proppants in the fracturing fluid
Implementation Method 4
promotes swirling of the fracturing fluid downstream of the manifold coupling
Implementation Method 5
enhancing fracturing fluid drainage from the manifold assembly
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.