On-Site Proppant Slurry Mixing with Dust Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Hydraulic fracturing treatments face challenges with dust generation and degradation of proppant slurry components during storage and transportation, which can lead to reduced effectiveness and increased costs due to the need for specialized containers and handling.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising tanks for proppant particulates and base fluid, a mixer, and a dust extractor, allowing on-site preparation of proppant slurry with minimized dust generation and reduced storage time, eliminating the need for heavy slurry transport and specialized containers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If proppant slurry is prepared in advance and transported to the well site, then the fracturing treatment can be performed, but dust generation occurs during storage and transportation and degradation of suspension agent and settling of proppant occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the slurry preparation into separate components (proppant in first tank, base fluid in second tank) that are combined on-site. This segmentation allows each component to be stored separately without degradation, eliminating the stability issues that occur when slurry is prepared in advance and stored during transportation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary preparation by storing proppant and base fluid separately in ready-to-use tanks at the well site. The components are prepared in advance but kept separate, then combined immediately before use. This eliminates the need for long-term storage of mixed slurry while ensuring all components are ready for immediate fracturing treatment.
2Ease of operation
If proppant slurry is transported to the well site, then the fracturing treatment can be performed, but specialized transportation and storage containers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates proppant and base fluid into different storage tanks, allowing each to be transported independently using simple, standard containers. This eliminates the need for complex specialized slurry containers, as each component can be stored and transported in basic tanks without requiring specialized features for slurry stability during transport.
3Productivity
If proppant particulates are handled during slurry preparation, then the slurry can be formed, but dust is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes dust particles from the slurry preparation environment using a dust extractor. This allows efficient slurry preparation to continue while actively removing the harmful dust that is generated during proppant handling, thereby maintaining productivity while eliminating the harmful effect.
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
Facilitates efficient preparation and use of proppant slurry at the well site, reducing dust, degradation, and storage issues, thereby enhancing hydraulic fracturing efficiency and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
a dust extractor that may be operative coupled to the mixing tank to remove dust from the mixing tank
Implementation Method 2
combining the proppant particulates and the base fluid in the mixer to form a slurry
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for preparing slurries for treating subterranean formations are provided herein. The methods may include: combining proppant particulates and a base fluid at a well site to form a slurry; and extracting dust from a mixing tank at a well site in which the slurry is disposed. The systems may include: a first tank containing proppant particulates located at a wellsite; a second tank containing a base fluid located at a well site; at least one mixer operable to receive and mix at least a portion of the proppant particulates from the first tank and at least a portion of the base fluid from the second tank at the well site to form a slurry; at least one mixing tank operable to receive the slurry from the mixer; and at least one dust extractor operable to extract dust from the at least one mixing tank.