Parallel Fracturing Pump Valves for Lower Stress and Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing pumps experience excessive wear and short valve life due to high stress from pressurized fluid, exacerbated by large valve diameters and proppant accumulation, leading to inefficiencies in fluid flow control.
Innovation Solution
A multiple-valve system with smaller-diameter valves configured to control fluid flow in parallel, each valve independently controlling fluid ingress or egress, featuring a valve seat, biasing elements, and retainer elements to manage pressure differentials and reduce stress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If large-diameter valves are used to achieve sufficient fluid flow, then fluid flow capability is improved, but valve stress and wear increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single large-diameter valve into multiple smaller-diameter valves arranged in parallel. Each smaller valve handles a portion of the total fluid flow, reducing the stress and wear on individual valves while collectively maintaining the required flow capability. The valve system includes multiple valve bodies, valve seats, and valve elements that work together to distribute flow across parallel paths.
2Quantity of substance
If large-diameter valves are used to control high-pressure fluid flow, then flow capacity is improved, but the force of pressurized fluid produces excessive stress on valves
Solution Approach 1:
The valve system segments the total fluid flow capacity across multiple parallel valves. Each valve experiences reduced stress because the total force of pressurized fluid is distributed across several smaller valve surfaces rather than concentrated on a single large valve surface. The parallel arrangement allows each valve to handle a fraction of the total flow while maintaining structural integrity under high pressure.
3Productivity
If proppant is present in hydraulic fracturing fluid, then fracturing effectiveness is improved, but proppant accumulation between valve mating surfaces exacerbates wear
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple-valve parallel configuration reduces proppant accumulation effects by distributing flow across smaller valve surfaces. The smaller mating surfaces of individual valves have reduced tendency for proppant buildup compared to a single large valve surface, and the parallel arrangement provides multiple flow paths that can accommodate proppant presence without excessive wear on any single valve assembly.
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 system reduces wear rates and extends valve life by distributing the force of pressurized fluid across multiple smaller-diameter valves, maintaining efficient fluid flow and reducing stress on individual components.
Implementation Method 1
one or more biasing elements configured to bias the multiple valves to a closed position with respect to the multiple bores
Data Source
AI summary
A valve system is disclosed for controlling fluid flow into or out of a fluid chamber of a fluid end of a hydraulic fracturing pump, the fluid flow to be caused by a reciprocating plunger that is driven by a power end of the hydraulic fracturing pump. The valve system may include a valve seat defining multiple bores in parallel and multiple valves configured to sealingly engage the valve seat at respective bores of the multiple bores.