Sound-Damping Enclosure for Hydraulic Fracturing Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing operations generate excessive noise due to the large and powerful equipment required, which can exceed noise limits in residential and commercial areas, limiting the viability of wells and necessitating noise mitigation solutions.
Innovation Solution
The use of specially constructed sound-damping panels and enclosures for hydraulic fracturing equipment, including a mesh wall, channel, polymer sheet, and sound insulation, to reduce noise levels, with the option to retrofit existing equipment or integrate during manufacturing, and a noise-reduced radiator design that alters air flow to decrease fan horsepower.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If high-powered pumping units and blending equipment are used to generate sufficient pumping pressure for hydraulic fracturing, then the fracturing operation becomes effective and productive, but the noise levels exceed local and state ordinances in residential and commercial areas
Solution Approach 1:
The noise mitigation system divides the equipment into separate enclosed zones using modular panels that can be attached to specific noise-generating components (pumping units, blending equipment, hydration units) rather than enclosing the entire operation, allowing selective noise control where most needed
Solution Approach 2:
Sound-damping panels serve as an intermediary barrier between the high-powered equipment and the surrounding environment, absorbing and blocking noise transmission while allowing the equipment to operate at full power without direct exposure to residential areas
2Object-generated harmful factors
If sound-damping panels and enclosures are added to hydraulic fracturing equipment to reduce noise output, then noise levels decrease to comply with ordinances, but the equipment complexity and structure increase
Solution Approach 1:
The enclosure system incorporates movable access doors and openings that allow the structure to be opened for equipment access and closed for noise mitigation, making the complexity adaptable rather than static based on operational needs
Solution Approach 2:
The sound-damping panels use relatively thin film-like structures with sound-absorbing materials rather than heavy solid barriers, reducing the structural burden and complexity while maintaining effective noise attenuation
3Ease of operation
If access doors and openings are provided in the enclosure for equipment access and operation, then ease of operation is improved, but noise leakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
Access doors are pre-equipped with integrated sound-damping panels and seals, so that when closed, they automatically maintain the noise barrier without requiring additional measures, preparing the noise mitigation function in advance for when access is needed
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 solution effectively reduces the normal operating noise output of hydraulic fracturing equipment to levels below 90 dBC and 80 dBA, mitigating noise pollution and allowing for more flexible operation near residential areas while also reducing fan horsepower and cooling requirements.
Implementation Method 1
sound insulation substantially filling the inner space between the mesh wall and the polymer sheet
Implementation Method 2
a polymer sheet adhered to the inner surface
Implementation Method 3
a mesh wall
Implementation Method 4
reduces the fan speed required for cooling by altering the flow regime of air through the radiator
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a system for reducing the overall noise output of equipment used in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells, by providing a noise-reducing enclosure and/or radiator which substantially reduce the level of noise that reaches the environment during normal operation.